Society

Stem Cell Inquiry Recommend Therapeutic Cloning

On the 20th December 2005 the Lockhart Federal Inquiry running for 6 months and receiving over 1035 submissions has made a list of recommendations with regards to the legislations governing stem cell research in Australia where chief among them is the support for ‘therapeutic cloning’ which has been blasted by pro-life advocates.

The Age has listed some of the recommendations of the Inquiry which includes:

- Permitting therapeutic cloning to create embryo. The justification was the therapeutically cloning was ‘link more closely to their potential for research developments especially for serious medical conditions’.
-Using animal eggs, with the DNA removed and replaced by human DNA, to create human embryos.
-Create human embryos using genetic material of more than two people.
-Creation of embryos with genetic alterations.
-Continue the ban on reproductive cloning to remain.
-All the embryos clone must only be used for research purpose and destroyed within 14 days.

Dr Nicholas Tonti-Filipini a consultant ethicist worries the compromise reach in the Commonwealth Parliament will be ‘overturned in favour of research involving human embryos.’

Dr Brigid Vout from the Life Office of the Sydney Archdiocese of the Catholic Church believes the recommendation will lend weight to the notion that ‘human embryos are created so there can be killed’. While Gregory Pike the director of the Southern Cross Bioethics Institute believes the report fail to ‘reflect community standards’. Further he finds mixing human and animal cells to create a human embryonic stem cell as ‘abhorrent’.

Advocates of stem cell research believe this is a positive step which can assist them to find the ‘origin of killer disease such as how cancer develops’. Alan Trounson the leading stem cell researcher believes the recommendations are ‘terrific’ and added: “We'd be able to see whether the causes are genetic … or environmental, say from smoking."

Scientists are elated about the finding and said the recommendations should be implemented to ‘bring Australian legislation up to world’s best practice.’ The chief scientific officer of the Australian Stem Cell Centre Stephen Livesey ‘felt relive and optimistic since they can now get the tool in order to perform the job to its fullest.’

Within the government ranks a potential split can emerge where the conservative members of the Federal Cabinet such as Tony Abbott and Nick Minchin can put up resistance to the Inquiry recommendations.

Steve Fielding the Family First senator said: “No cures have been developed using embryonic stem cells while cures are evident in adult stem cells.”

Ron Boswell the National Senate leader believes implementing the recommendations will lead to the ‘unknown and it will be unnecessary due to the recent advances in adult stem cell technology.’

Ian Macfarlane the industry minister who supports therapeutic cloning hope the debate will be ‘intelligent, fact based and respectful’. He added the stem cell research carried out in Australia will be conducted under a ‘strict ethical framework’.

Advertisement

• Richard Dawkins supports distribution of Bibles to every public school
• Church office reportedly closed down in Sudan
• Casting Crown's Mark Hall auctioning his Avengers desk for World Vision's cause
• SA lawyers say same-sex marriage bills are unconstitutional
• Christian pregnancy support centre opening in Surry Hills

• A letter to my 19 year old self - Part 1
• Will Graham's Sydney breakfast: “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie. Oi, Oi, Oi"
• Churches called to prayer during Olympic torch relay
• Christian pregnancy support centre opening in Surry Hills

Vogue says goodbye to too young, too thin models

Vogue magazine has promised not to use models that are underage or underweight on its front covers. The decision is..