 |
 |
Daily Yomiuri On-Line - Japan Gynecological society plans to review guidelines on ova Yomiuri Shimbun The Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology will review its guidelines on the use of fertilized eggs produced for infertility treatments to allow such eggs to be used for research into embryonic stem (ES) cells, a source close to the society said Saturday. The review will apply to fertilized eggs not used in infertility treatments, the source said. Based on the belief that it is necessary to handle fertilized eggs carefully because they are the first stage of life, the society has so far limited use of such eggs in infertility-treatment research. However, as the government is expected to begin promoting research into ES cells, the society has identified the need for a system to secure fertilized eggs for future research on the cells, the source said. The society, comprised of doctors, reportedly will compile a draft to revise the guidelines as early as March, with the aim of approving them at its general meeting in May. Cells harvested from cultivated fertilized eggs are used to breed ES cells. ES cells can then be cultivated into various types of human cells, including internal-organ and nerve-tissue cells. Therefore, experts believe they eventually will be able to use the cells to regenerate organs inside the body and to manufacture organs for transplants. The government is expected to establish new guidelines on basic scientific research in summer, fueling hopes that it will permit research on ES cells. However, many patients are reluctant to allow eggs they donate to be used for research purposes. For this reason, in a 1985 report expressing its view on research involving human sperm, ova and fertilized eggs, the society said fertilized eggs should only be used to develop reproductive drugs and to help improve infertility treatments. Based on the guideline review, doctors at a research institute for cultivating ES cells will brief married couples on ES cell research utilizing fertilized eggs once they have gained the approval of an ethics committee of a related hospital. The institute will then be able to receive fertilized eggs from the couples, provided that they fully understand the research program. The planned guidelines reportedly will target patients whose treatments aim to produce about 10 fertilized eggs at a time to freeze for later use in vitro fertilization. Copyright 2001 The Yomiuri Shimbun http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/newse/20010225wo71.htm ***********