Policy on ethical research stalled, Rock admits U.S. decision to allow some embryo studies adds to pressure Mark Kennedy - Southam News http://www.nationalpost.com/ OTTAWA, September 2, 2000 - Jurisdictional haggling between the federal and provincial governments has delayed the creation of a regulatory authority that would supervise fertility clinics and create guidelines for scientific research on human embryo cells, says Allan Rock, the Health Minister. Mr. Rock acknowledged that the lack of guidelines has led to a policy vacuum -- one that is more problematic in the wake of the decision two weeks ago by Bill Clinton, the U.S. President, to unveil new rules under which embryonic research will be permitted in that country. For three years, Mr. Rock has been promising legislation that would govern the fertility trade and establish a regulatory body that would set limits on the types of scientific research that are ethically acceptable in Canada. "I think it's obviously in everybody's interest to clarify the situation," Mr. Rock said. "And that was our intention in proposing legislation and we'll continue to pursue that avenue." Mr. Rock had planned to establish a Reproductive Technologies Authority that would either be at arm's length from government or be located within Health Canada. It would be modelled, in large part, on the British watchdog -- the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority -- which was established in 1991. Mr. Rock said his department held consultations this spring with health professionals, scientists and the provinces about the proposed federal legislation and regulatory agency. "There have been some issues raised by some provinces about jurisdiction, about whether it should be more appropriately done federally or provincially. We're in discussion with some of the parties about that, and we have some choices to make." Sources say the Quebec government, in particular, is hostile to the idea of a federal reproductive technologies bill that it argues would encroach on health-care delivery, which falls under provincial jurisdiction. And while other provinces apparently do not mind the regulatory agency falling within Health Canada's mandate, most health professionals are lobbying Mr. Rock to make it quasi-independent. Mr. Rock said he believes Canadians will understand that the delay in taking action is because "these are complex issues" and it is "difficult to get consensus between governments." Time is running out on Mr. Rock if he intends to table legislation in the current Parliament. It can often take months for a complex and highly contentious bill to wade its way through both the House of Commons and Senate, and an election is expected next spring. The last time the Chrétien government came forward with reproductive technologies legislation, it died on the order paper when the 1997 election was called and Parliament was dissolved. Asked when he might unveil the long-promised successor to that failed bill, Mr. Rock said: "I wouldn't hazard a date." Although Mr. Rock has sound reasons to fill the policy void, there may be political imperatives that compel the Liberal government to hold back from entering the murky ethical area before the election. As much as some experts are calling for clarity in the rules, taking action would only draw criticism from some people -- such as anti-abortion groups -- who oppose all forms of embryo research. That debate has been sparked by Mr. Clinton's Aug. 23 announcement, in which he unveiled new guidelines that would allow scientists to conduct federally funded research on human embryonic stem cells. These are microscopic clusters of cells that are formed shortly after conception and are capable of growing into virtually any cell, tissue or organ in the human body. Scientists believe stem cells could lead to groundbreaking treatments for diseases from PARKINSON'S to diabetes. Similarly, they say the cells could be used to grow new organs and tissues for transplant and possibly even be used to help slow -- possibly reverse -- the process of ageing. Copyright © 2000 National Post Online -- Judith Richards, London, Ontario, Canada [log in to unmask] Today’s Research... Tomorrow’s Cure