Aust. Stem Cell Research Bill GETS PAST First Vote at Senate
November 7th 2006 07:02
Australian Stem Cell Research Bill GETS PAST First Vote at Senate
The whole idea of therapeutic cloning is to use an embryo to host the development of ‘stem cells’ (blank cells that have not yet been assigned a purpose like ‘blood cell’ or ‘brain cell’) until they are mature enough to grow by themselves and fully develop. As you may have read in my post last month about a stem cell research breakthrough, stem cells are being intensively studied for their potential to fight against disease as they can repair specific tissues or grow organs. The stem cells that are created with the aid of a human embryo (which is then discarded – hence we have ethical issues) are designated a function and then can be injected into a patient with a failing kidney, lung or other tissue.
The UK and U.S both allow stem cell research for “Therapeutic Cloning” – for the treatment of diseases – but no-one is yet allowed to use stem cells for “Reproductive Cloning” like in Dolly the Sheep. This type of stem cell transfer leads to the development of an identical copy of an individual, a very eerie thought…But still, Australia does not yet allow any type of stem cell research.
Unfortunately, although these two sorts of cloning have completely different outcomes, both terms contain the word "cloning" – thus leading to all the confusion and argument about engaging in such activities. When people think about cloning, they may look at it in disgust as they think of the ‘cloned babies’ idea rather than the therapeutic benefit of healing the sick. This is why the term “Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer” is starting to be used instead of "Therapeutic cloning".
Now Australia is more likely to be allowed to conduct stem cell research for therapeutic cloning as an initial conscience vote has just passed.
And as this is therapeutic cloning, the embryo would have to be destroyed after it fulfilled its purpose (after 14 days) and definitely not allowed to be implanted into a woman. But this decision was very close - News.com.au says that the senators voted 34 to 31.
Liberal senator Julian McGauran is against the idea of therapeutic cloning and stated, “Under these sets of beliefs ... once it is created, all becomes a horror story. It has all the pride equal to a Nuremberg rally (of Nazis) - a rally of Dr Strangeloves chanting for such weird experiments as the creation of hybrid embryos, mixing humans with animals," he said. But if the bill is passed it will have restrictions against any sort of human reproduction as the embryo - which creates humans - will be destroyed after 14 days!
Democrats senator Andrew Murray talks some sense: "I do not fear that the rule of law is so eroded that the safeguards and penalties that prevent human cloning in Australia will prove useless. I do not fear that I will live to see centaurs (half man, half horse), minotaurs (half man, half bull) or satyrs (half man, half goat!). I do not fear mad scientists will pervert the intention of this legislation."
I say, good on you Andrew. Why can't we get into therapeutic cloning and see what we can discover? What diseases can be cured and how many lives can be saved?
Fingers crossed that the bill for Australia's involvement in Therapeutic Cloning will be passed.
Image of Public Domain
The whole idea of therapeutic cloning is to use an embryo to host the development of ‘stem cells’ (blank cells that have not yet been assigned a purpose like ‘blood cell’ or ‘brain cell’) until they are mature enough to grow by themselves and fully develop. As you may have read in my post last month about a stem cell research breakthrough, stem cells are being intensively studied for their potential to fight against disease as they can repair specific tissues or grow organs. The stem cells that are created with the aid of a human embryo (which is then discarded – hence we have ethical issues) are designated a function and then can be injected into a patient with a failing kidney, lung or other tissue.
The UK and U.S both allow stem cell research for “Therapeutic Cloning” – for the treatment of diseases – but no-one is yet allowed to use stem cells for “Reproductive Cloning” like in Dolly the Sheep. This type of stem cell transfer leads to the development of an identical copy of an individual, a very eerie thought…But still, Australia does not yet allow any type of stem cell research.
Unfortunately, although these two sorts of cloning have completely different outcomes, both terms contain the word "cloning" – thus leading to all the confusion and argument about engaging in such activities. When people think about cloning, they may look at it in disgust as they think of the ‘cloned babies’ idea rather than the therapeutic benefit of healing the sick. This is why the term “Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer” is starting to be used instead of "Therapeutic cloning".
Now Australia is more likely to be allowed to conduct stem cell research for therapeutic cloning as an initial conscience vote has just passed.
Mouse embryonic stem cells.
And as this is therapeutic cloning, the embryo would have to be destroyed after it fulfilled its purpose (after 14 days) and definitely not allowed to be implanted into a woman. But this decision was very close - News.com.au says that the senators voted 34 to 31.
Liberal senator Julian McGauran is against the idea of therapeutic cloning and stated, “Under these sets of beliefs ... once it is created, all becomes a horror story. It has all the pride equal to a Nuremberg rally (of Nazis) - a rally of Dr Strangeloves chanting for such weird experiments as the creation of hybrid embryos, mixing humans with animals," he said. But if the bill is passed it will have restrictions against any sort of human reproduction as the embryo - which creates humans - will be destroyed after 14 days!
Democrats senator Andrew Murray talks some sense: "I do not fear that the rule of law is so eroded that the safeguards and penalties that prevent human cloning in Australia will prove useless. I do not fear that I will live to see centaurs (half man, half horse), minotaurs (half man, half bull) or satyrs (half man, half goat!). I do not fear mad scientists will pervert the intention of this legislation."
I say, good on you Andrew. Why can't we get into therapeutic cloning and see what we can discover? What diseases can be cured and how many lives can be saved?
Fingers crossed that the bill for Australia's involvement in Therapeutic Cloning will be passed.
Image of Public Domain
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