July 7, 1999
Dutch Aborted Fetus Research Backed
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) - Human fetuses that are aborted or miscarried
should be able to be used for organ transplantation and medical research if
the mother agrees, the Dutch health minister says.
In a draft law presented Tuesday to Parliament's lower house, Health
Minister Els Borst said the medical use of fetuses - now outlawed in the
Netherlands - should be permitted as long as the mother approves and has the
right to change her mind.
Under Borst's proposal, a woman's partner also would have a say in whether a
fetus terminated through an abortion or a miscarriage could be used for
scientific study.
Supporters say the Dutch ban should be lifted to allow for the use of
fetuses younger than 24 weeks in the search for a cure to diseases such as
epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease and Alzheimer's.
Opponents argue that it is unethical on moral and religious grounds and
could produce an illegal market for fetuses.
Copyright © 1999 The Associated Press.
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/headlines/ap/international/story.html?s=v/ap/1999
0707/wl/netherlands_fetus_research_1.html
--
Judith Richards, London, Ontario, Canada
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