 |
 |
UK may clone tissues of dead humans 2 Jun 2008, 0147 hrs IST,AGENCIES LONDON: Scientists will soon be able to use tissue from dead people to create cloned human stem cells for medical research, under a legal change proposed by the British government. Health ministers have put forward the proposal that clinical laboratories should be permitted to use stored human tissue to create cloned embryonic stem cells even without the explicit consent of the donor, the Sunday Times reported. This would allow research to be done on tissue donated for medical research as long as 30 years ago, according to the ministers in Britain. Many laboratories have banks of stored tissues which act as DNA libraries that can play a crucial role in finding cures for serious disorders such as diabetes and motor neurone disease. Ministers have until now insisted that scientists contact tissue donors to gain explicit consent before DNA can be used to create cloned embryonic stem cells. However, leading scientists say gaining such consent is sometimes impossible because the donors have died, donated anonymously or cannot be contacted. They say the ban on using DNA without consent could hold up vital research. Now, the ministers have tabled an amendment to the human fertilisation and embryology bill, currently passing through parliament, which would allow stored tissue and cells to be used without the explicit consent of donors. The amendment, which is expected to be supported by most MPs, will be debated this week. Meanwhile, the Ohio Senate overwhelmingly approved a $1.57 billion package to use concrete and research to jump-start the state's sluggish economy, but not before forbidding use of the money to facilitate human cloning. The package includes investment in biomedical and bioproduct research and development; push solar, wind, and other advanced energy technologies; and encourage top college graduates to remain in Ohio through internships and private-public job opportunities. Senator Stephen Buehrer sponsor of the cloning amendment, said researchers hope to use taxpayer dollars targeted toward biomedical research on "cloning and destruction of human life. Ladies and gentlemen, that is wrong policy for Ohio, and is morally wrong," he said. The amendment passed 21-11 with Republicans largely in support and Democrats in opposition. "The governor believes that would significantly limit research in Ohio that could save countless lives in areas of cancer, Alzheimer's, and diabetes," said a Strickland spokesman. "He also believes this would limit the state's economic potential by going far beyond common-sense definition of human cloning to severely limit stem-cell research." Rayilyn Brown Board Member AZNPF Arizona Chapter National Parkinson Foundation [log in to unmask] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn