Swedish Research Council guidelines support therapeutic cloning
As more EU Member States clarify their position regarding human cloning and genetic research, the Swedish Research council has produced guidelines on stem cell research advocating therapeutic cloning by somatic cell nuclear transfer but banning the implantation of cloned embryos in the womb. The council is calling for clear guidelines to fill the current legal vacuum in Swedish law, which at present has no legal framework on stem cell research. The council advocates the use of therapeutic cloning for medical research purposes, using somatic cell nuclear transfer to create embryos from which stem cells can be harvested. The guidelines say that the creation of embryos in this way is 'ethically defensible' in view of the long term medical benefits it could bring. The guidelines state, however, that the use of this technique in order to create stem cells containing the same DNA as patients in need of cell transplants should be conditional on the issue of a licence and monitoring by a government authority. The Swedish Research council advocates the introduction of legislation banning the implantation of such embryos in the womb. The council's guidelines also say it is permissible to use stem cells from supernumerary embryos, left over from IVF treatment, for this kind of research on condition of the informed consent of the embryo's parents. They set out, however, an age limit of two weeks after fertilisation for embryos used in this way. A spokesperson for the council said that the Swedish government was awaiting the guidelines in order to gain a clearer picture of the opinion of the research community on the issue. She added that the guidelines are intended to serve as an 'interim measure' until legislation is introduced by the Swedish government, expected to be some time next year. On 29 November the European Parliament rejected by an overwhelming majority a move to ban human cloning in the EU. The resolution was introduced by the Parliament's committee on human genetics and other new technologies in modern medicine, which was set up following several controversial developments including the birth in 1996 of the 'Dolly the sheep' in Scotland.
Countries
Sweden