Yahoo! News Story - Surgeon says researchers have used human fetuses for 20 years as stem cell debate gathers pace

August 7, 2002

Bill Werre (b.werre@...) has sent you a news article

Personal message:

Another balanced story on pro's and con's noting that fetal tissue has been used for over 20 years already in research. Aussies are debating new legislation.

Surgeon says researchers have used human fetuses for 20 years as stem cell debate gathers pace

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20020807/ap_wo_en_ge/australia_stem_cell_research_1

News Home - Yahoo! - Help

Welcome, Guest

Personalize News Home Page

-

Sign In

Yahoo! News

Wednesday, August 07, 2002

Search

News StoriesNews PhotosAudio/VideoFull CoverageThe New York TimesAll of Yahoo! for

Advanced

News Front Page

Most Popular

Audio/Video

Full Coverage

Lottery

Crosswords

News Resources

Providers

AP

Reuters

OneWorld.net

AP Features

NPR

AP World - General News

Surgeon says researchers have used human fetuses for 20 years as stem cell debate gathers pace

Tue Aug 6,11:01 PM ET

By PETER O'CONNOR, Associated Press Writer

CANBERRA, Australia - Australian doctors have been using tissue from aborted fetuses in research for two decades, a leading surgeon said Wednesday, as debate heated up over the use of human embryos in stem cell research.

"It's been used for diagnostic purposes, it's been used for developmental purposes, it's been used for basic research and in the '80s was used for therapeutic purposes," Prof. Bernie Tuch, who heads the pancreas transplant unit at a leading Sydney hospital, told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio.

Using human embryos for stem cell research simply represents a further benefit of such tissue, he said.

His comments came ahead of a vote, expected soon after Parliament resumes Aug. 19, on new legislation that sets national guidelines for the use of human embryos.

Deputy Prime Minister said Tuesday that the use of human embryos for medical research was a "slippery slope" toward a morality based only on doing the greatest good for the greatest number of people.

"I believe society needs to set the boundaries here, not the scientists," said.

Stem cells taken from human embryos are seen as vital for finding cures for debilitating diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Their medical potential comes from the fact they have not yet differentiated into any of the 220 cell types that make up the human body.

The leaders of Australia's normally disciplined political parties have said lawmakers can vote on the issue according to their conscience rather than along party lines, sparking unusual coalitions and torrid debate in Parliament.

Under the bill before Parliament, research would initially be limited for three years to about 60,000 frozen embryos left over from in vitro fertilization (IVF) programs through April 5, when the proposed legislation was agreed between Prime Minister and state leaders.

Following the three-year prohibition on the use of new embryos, the use of surplus embryos created in IVF programs after April 5, 2002 may be allowed. But only if state governments are convinced they can ensure a system that does not encourage the creation of embryos purely for research.

The legislation would give Australia a more liberal research regime than that adopted last year in the United States, but more restrictive than in Britain.

Print Story

Next Story >

Message Boards: Post/Read Msgs

Sign In

Yahoo! News Story - Surgeon says researchers have used human fetuses for 20 years as stem cell debate gathers pace

Recommended Posts

Guest guest

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Join the conversation

Activity