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CBC News Stem cell research planned without new law Last Updated Thu, 26 Jun 2003 19:04:55 OTTAWA - Scientists say millions of dollars in stem cell research will go ahead this summer, even though a federal bill to regulate the industry hasn't become law. The legislation had been expected to pass in the spring, but it was delayed and now won't pass until at least this fall when Parliament resumes. INDEPTH: Reproductive technologies http://www.cbc.ca/news/indepth/background/rgtech.html Ottawa has been working on rules about reproductive technology for about a decade. MPs and senators have been debating the current bill for at least two years. "I think after waiting two years, and who knows now how long it will be after this, we think it's not right to have to wait any longer," says Dr. Ron Worton, the scientific director of the Stem Cell Network. Stem Cell Network http://www.stemcellnetwork.ca/aboutus/overview.php The non-profit research group has decided to move ahead with projects into embryonic stem cells this summer. All of the work will be approved by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research ahead of time, to make sure it meets criteria expected to become law eventually, Worton told CBC Radio. Researchers will get stem cells left over from in vitro fertilization. There will not be any work on cloning or other research Ottawa intends to ban, Worton said. Until legislation is passed, the reproductive technology industry is effectively unregulated, he added. "I don't know of any, but there could be researchers or laboratories out there that are currently doing work that would be totally in contravention of the new legislation, should it be passed," Worton said. Health Minister Anne McLellan said she hopes the bill will become law this fall. Written by CBC News Online staff WRITE TO US: Send your comments to [log in to unmask] SOURCE: CBC News http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2003/06/26/stemcells_030626 * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn