English Scientists Ask Germany to Amend Stem Cell Act
Two directors of the North East England Stem Cell Institute (NESCI) have written to members of the German Parliament urging them to legalize human embryonic stem cell research in Germany.
The German Bundestag has been considering an amendment to the German Stem Cell Act of 2002 which would lift the country’s ban on the use of human embryonic stem cells for research purposes.
Embryonic stem cell research is already legal in the United Kingdom where the two NESCI co-directors, Professor Chris Hutchison and Professor Michael Whitaker, are located. The two scientists oversee NESCI studies which include a variety of human stem cells including adult tissue, embryonic and umbilical cord stem cells.
While Germany’s stem cell policies do not directly impact NESCI’s work, Professors Whitaker and Hutchison chose to contact the parliament on behalf of German scientists who’ve been excluded from some international research projects because of restrictions in the 2002 Act. The German Research Foundation and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have also stated their support for amending the Act.
In their letters, the two professors said it’s too early to know how various types of stem cells can contribute to the treatment of diseases like cancer and Parkinson’s Disease, but they agree with the German Research Foundation’s recommendation to lift Germany’s ban. The letter added,
“Not to alter the Act will leave German researchers who have contributed substantially to embryonic stem cell research very isolated and unable to legally access newer cell lines, even those made outside Germany.”
(Extract from NESCI letter to German Bundestag)
If you’d like to check the status of legislation related to cancer research here in the United States, you can visit the Library of Congress THOMAS web site.
Source: Durham University (UK)
Related Links: Science; BBC; GRM; DRZE; CNN
Related Podcast: What’s Next for Stem-Cell Research, etc. from Science by AAAS
Technorati Tags: bioethics; Newcastle University; NHS; Regional Development Agency; One NorthEast; International Centre for Life in Newcastle
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