News on ethics in medicine and biotechnology: November 2003Stockholm BioRegion launchesStockholm, already a hub of biomedical research, is getting a further push toward the center of the biotech map courtesy of an association recently formed by AstraZeneca, the city of Stockholm, and the Karolinska Institute. 21 November 2003, The Scientist (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) Biometric cards will not stop identity fraudA plan to introduce biometric ID cards in the UK will fail to achieve one of its main aims, New Scientist has learned. The proposed system will do nothing to prevent fraudsters acquiring multiple identity cards. 21 november 2003, the New Scientist (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) Primate experiment lab approvedCambridge University has received UK Government approval for a controversial laboratory in which it intends to carry out brain experiments on monkeys. 21 November 2003, BBC News (UK) (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) State tries to go ahead with genetically modified cropsThe eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt is attempting to spur the federal government into allowing the use of genetically modified crops in Germany, while trying to get in on the ground floor should the controversial technology finally get the green light in this country. 21 November 2003, AgBios.com (excerpt from Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung)
(Submitted by SIBLE, UK) Parliament backs stem cell reseachThe European Parliament has backed proposals allowing EU money to be used to fund research on embryonic stem cells. In doing so, MEPs have supported European Commission proposals, made in July, to lift the current ban imposed in some EU states, such as Germany, where using human embryos in research is banned on ethical grounds. 20 November 2003, EU Observer related articles: (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) Danish farmers set to grow GMOsDanish farmers will probably start growing genetically modified crops next year, the chairman of the Agricultural Council of Denmark said on Tuesday. The statement came after Danish researchers said that genetically modified crops can safely be grown next to traditional and organic varieties. 19 November 2003, AgBios (excerpts from DR Nyheder) (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) Face transplants feasible - but not yetAn influential report on the ethics and feasibility of face transplants has decided on a "wait and see" approach. The UK panel - the first to address the issue anywhere in the world - decided that the risks of the operation outweigh the potential benefits at present. 19 November 2003, New Scientist (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) Organic farmers sound alarm over GM cropsEnvironmentalists and farmers fear the commercial use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) could destroy the livelihoods of Switzerland’s 6,000 organic farmers. They are lobbying hard for a moratorium on the use of GM crops, which is being debated in parliament this week. 19 November 2003, AgBios (excerpts from SwissInfo) (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) GM trial results reverberateThe results of the world's largest study of genetically modified (GM) crops' impact on biodiversity, completed last month in the United Kingdom, were mixed and limited. But the huge scale of the project is ensuring that the results are being carefully digested across the whole of Europe. 17 November 2003, The Scientist (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) Doctors plead for new law on kidney donorsStrangers have started offering to donate kidneys to help dying patients in the ultimate act of altruism. Government experts are reviewing rules on kidney donation to deal with the phenomenon. 16 November 2003, The Guardian (UK) (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) EU to end five-year ban on new GM productsThe EU will allow a genetically modified food product to go on sale
next month. The move will end a five-year European moratorium on new
GM foods. 16 November 2003, The Guardian (UK) (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) NHS slips down world healthcare leagueThe UK has plummeted in rankings of the world's healthcare systems, coming 18th out of 19 industrialised countries, after researchers looked again at what constitutes good performance. 14 November 2003, the Guardian (UK) (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) Public outrage prompts ban on baby sex selectionSelecting the sex of a child is to be banned in the UK after a consultation exercise found the public outraged by the idea. Yesterday the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, which regulates fertility treatment, announced that it would recommend a ban on sex selection, except in families where one gender would risk inheriting a serious genetic disorder. Haemophilia and Duchenne muscular dystrophy, for instance, affect only boys. 12 november 2003, the Guardian (UK) related story: (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) Vatican Holding Debate Over Biotech FoodsCritics of genetically modified foods are warning that a Vatican endorsement
of biotech products would be a mistake, while supporters say the Vatican
is wisely gathering evidence to make an informed decision about the
issue. 11 November 2003, Agbios.com (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) EU postpones controversial GM decisionA controversial vote on genetically modified organisms, which would effectively have seen an end to the EU moratorium on GM foods, has been postponed until December. 10 November 2003, EUObserver (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) Speech stirs stem cell debateRecent comments by German Justice Minister Brigitte Zypries suggesting Germany's highly restrictive human embryonic stem cell law should be relaxed have emboldened some scientists who want a more flexible law to speak out for change. 7 November 2003, The Scientist (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) Global cloning ban put on hold for two yearsThe United Nations has postponed its decision on proposals to ban human cloning after nations failed to agree whether such a ban should include cloning for research purposes. 7 November 2003, SciDev.net (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) Germany's genome boostThe German government's recent pledge to allocate another €135 million to the country's National Genome Research Network (NGFN) has received a qualified welcome from researchers. 5 November 2003, The Scientist (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) Scientists complain GM debate was mishandledMore than 100 scientists have signed a letter to Tony Blair, complaining about the way the debate on GM crops was handled. 1 November 2003, The Guardian (UK) (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) |
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