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The Baltimore Sun Japanese approve guidelines for stem cell research By Joji Sakurai The Associated Press Originally published August 1, 2001 TOKYO -- A Japanese Cabinet panel approved guidelines for stem cell research today, a move likely to allow laboratories here to start studies on building tissue from embryonic cells by the end of the year. The Cabinet's bioethics panel rubber-stamped a set of conditions on stem cell research that is expected to be formally approved by the Science and Technology Agency later this month, said an official of the Cabinet's Council for Science and Technology Policy. The guidelines stipulate that embryonic cells used in research would be taken only from those made for fertility treatment that would otherwise be discarded, said Takahiro Hayashi. Research on cloning humans or creating sperm and ova would be strictly banned. Safeguards would be set up to protect private information and selling stem cells would be prohibited, Hayashi said. Hayashi said that if all goes according to plan, scientists could start stem cell research by the end of the year. "It depends on when exactly the approval process is completed," he said. "But there are several research institutions that are already anxious to start work. If full approval comes by September, it would take about two or three months after that to review applications to start research." Stem cells are the building blocks for all human tissue. In the United States, President Bush is considering whether to permit federal funds for medical research on stem cells taken from human embryos. He came under intense pressure from Pope John Paul II in a meeting last month to ban all forms of stem cell research. Scientists hope that the cells could be used to produce healthy tissue for people with debilitating diseases, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and diabetes, as well as spinal cord injuries. Several Japanese institutions, including prestigious Tokyo University, are planning to start experiments on stem cells, although the Cabinet guidelines say that only basic research will be allowed for the time being. Biotechnology is a controversial topic in Japan, where religious beliefs blocked approval for organ transplants from brain dead patients until four years ago. In May, Japan's first birth from a surrogate mother triggered a nationwide debate, with Japan's most popular broadsheet, the Yomiuri, saying in an editorial that the birth may "trespass on the domain of God." However, Japan has taken a leading role in clone research, with institutes cloning cows and other animals on a regular basis. Japan passed a law last year banning human cloning. On Tuesday, the United States Congress voted to prohibit cloning of human embryos, even for research aimed at finding cures for Alzheimer's and other diseases. SOURCE: The Baltimore Sun / The Associated Press http://www.sunspot.net/features/health/sns-stemcells.story?coll=sns%2Dhealth%2Dheadlines * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn