http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/medicalscience/story/0,9837,594053,00.html
Thursday November 15, 2001
The government is considering emergency
legislation to control the use of stem cells from human embryos in research
after a landmark high court ruling this morning.
Mr Justice Crane ruled the law as
it stands does not govern the latest scientific techniques, through which
researchers can create a human embryo using a type of cloning rather than
using human sperm.
This means the government technically
has no control over stem cell research from such embryos. A source at the
Department of Health confirmed the government is now actively considering
introducing emergency legislation to the House of Commons. But it could,
instead, appeal against today's decision.
Scientists interested in pursuing
such research could extract stem cells from the embryos, and theoretically
develop them into any type of tissue, which could provide new treatments
for spinal injuries, Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis.
However, the campaigners who brought
the case to the High Court, the Pro Life Alliance, argue there is no need
to use embryos, because much of the work can be done with adult stem cells.
The alliance today demanded emergency legislation and that the government
suspends the current regulations and the House of Lords' select committee
examining the issue.
"The Human Fertilisation and Embryology
Authority has no power to stop this research; it isn't a criminal offence
and there is nothing that any public authority can do. The law as it stands
is hopeless and we are glad we have shown up the government lie that human
cloning is prohibited," said Bruno Quintavalle, director of the alliance.
But the scientific advisor to the
House of Lords select committee on stem cell research, Professor Christopher
Higgins, said, in his personal opinion, there is no danger of any scientists
running amuck and creating cloned embryos because of today's ruling.
"They have identified a loophole,
but the whole thing is making a mountain out of a mole hill. The House
of Commons' committee is looking at what new legislation will be required
and will be reporting by Christmas," he said.
Professor Higgins also pointed out
that most stem cell research, using either cells from adults or embryos,
would not be affected by today's court ruling. He argued, at least in the
short-term, researchers would have to continue using cells from embryos
if medical science is going to benefit.
© Guardian Newspapers Limited
2001
Joe Plomin