Semantics and ethics of human embryonic stem-cell research
2005; Elsevier BV; Volume: 365; Issue: 9477 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/s0140-6736(05)66555-5
ISSN1474-547X
Autores Tópico(s)Biomedical Ethics and Regulation
ResumoThe ethical debate about human embryonic stem-cell research has revisited the old embryo-research debate, which UK law put within a framework as long ago as 1990, 1 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act. HMSO, London1990 Google Scholar licensing it under strict conditions, permitting only research linked to reproduction, and creation of embryos for research when "necessary". In the aftermath of animal research on stem cells, new categories were added to the statute, 2 The Human Reproductive Cloning Act. HM Stationery Office, London2001 Google Scholar allowing also "research for serious disease" on the human embryo. Although on both occasions the legal process had been democratic 3 Department of Health. Stem cell research: medical progress with responsibility. Department of Health, London2000 Google Scholar and expressed its respect for the symbolic nature of the embryo, 4 Warnock M Report of the Committee of Enquiry into Human Fertilisation and Embryology. http://www.bopcris.ac.uk/bopall/ref21165.htmlDate: July, 1984 Google Scholar a judge 5 The Queen on the application of Pro Life Alliance v Secretary of State for Health CO/4095/2000 Google Scholar was asked to determine whether an embryo created by somatic-cell nuclear transfer was an embryo under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act, a matter settled on appeal in February, 2002. Collaboration in cardiovascular stem-cell researchAlthough the excitement of discovery motivates medical researchers, competition among them is a driving force and is considered normal and healthy. Articles that are first in the field can have precedence for publication in journals with high impact factors. Academic promotion is aided by such articles and the UK Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) demands them. Funding bodies distribute resources to the authors of such articles. For gene therapy, the motive of personal recognition by academics striving to be the authors of articles describing small advances in basic science or small clinical studies led to the publication of fragmented information that did not advance the research field. Full-Text PDF Stem-cell therapy: hope and hypeIn the fifth year since human cloning to generate stem cells was legalised in the UK, what progress has been made towards taking stem-cell therapy from laboratory to clinical practice? In 2000, articulating robust UK Government support, then Health Minister Yvette Cooper proclaimed that stem cells from cloned human embryos "could prove the Holy Grail in finding treatments for cancer, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, spinal cord injuries, Alzheimer's disease, leukaemia and multiple sclerosis … transform[ing] the lives of hundreds of thousands of people". Full-Text PDF
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