News on ethics in medicine and biotechnology: July 2003Spain to allow human embryo researchSpain is to become the first Catholic country in Europe to authorize research on human embryos to obtain stem cells. On July 25, the cabinet approved reforms of an outdated law on human assisted reproduction, one of the consequences of which will be to allow research on human embryos stored at in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics. The new law will be similar to those in place in Holland and Finland, which ban therapeutic cloning but permit research on spare embryos as long as parents provide appropriate consent. 31 July 2003, New Scientist (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) Search for lab polio stocksAs polio eradication nears, WHO coordinates hunt for research stocks 29 July 2003, The Scientist (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) EU Ag. Commissioner Urges US to Drop WTO Biotech CaseThere's little point in the US continuing to bring charges against the EU in the World Trade Organization regarding the EU's moratorium on biotech approvals, according to European Union Agricultural Commissioner Franz Fischler, says the High Plains Journal (KS). 29 July 2003, Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology (Submitted by SIBLE, UK) NEJM seeking stem cell papersMedical journal says it's ready for stem cell research, but is stem cell research ready for medical journals? 23 July 2003, The Scientist (submitted by SIBLE, UK) GM crops 'low risk' for humansA panel of 25 experts said it found no case for ruling out all GM crops in the UK and that the novel plants were unlikely to lead to the creation of "superweeds". But it raised doubts about the effects the new crops could have on the wider environment - particularly wildlife. 21 July 2003, BBC News (UK) (Submitted by: SIBLE, UK) EU backs farmers' choice on GM cropsThe European Commission will say next week public authorities cannot ban farmers from planting genetically modified (GM) crops, supporting those farmers who want to embrace the controversial technology. 19 July 2003, ABC News online (Submitted by: SIBLE, UK) Italian court rejects company bid to save GM maizeA court on Thursday rejected an attempt by the Italian unit of Pioneer Hi-Bred, a subsidiary of Dupont Co DD.N , to halt an order to destroy maize thought to contain genetic material, a local government source said. 17 July 2003, Reuters Also see: (Submitted by: SIBLE, UK) Test Tube Babies to Celebrate 25 Years of IVFIn the 25 years since the birth of Louise Brown, the world's first test tube baby, more than a million children around the world have been conceived through fertility techniques. 17 July 2003, Reuters (UK) (Submitted by: SIBLE, UK) Stem cell forum launchedScientists from 12 countries have officially launched a new organization designed to promote collaboration on stem cell research and to speed up the development of new medical treatments. 17 July 2003, The Scientist Daily News (Submitted by: SIBLE, UK) Genetically modified crops await clearance from Ministry of EnvironmentFull-scale production of crops containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is still at the experimental stage in the Czech Republic but could take a giant leap forward if the Ministry of Environment approves an application from Monsanto for the technology to spread beyond the U.S., Canada, Argentina and China. 16 July 2003, AgBios.com (Submitted by: SIBLE, UK) EU Takes Member States to Court Over GMOsThe EU Commission, fending off a trade suit over Europe's refusal to import genetically modified organisms (GMOs), turned its fire on 11 EU states on Tuesday for failing to adopt new rules on GMO permits. 15 July 2003, Reuters (Submitted by: SIBLE, UK) Frog eggs rejuvenate human cellsImmature frog eggs can rejuvenate adult human cells. Molecules in the amphibian nucleus coax mature human and mouse DNA back to an adaptable, stem-cell-like state. 15 July 2003, Nature science update (Submitted by: SIBLE, UK) Legislation on bioethics from the European perspective: the new stage / Legislar sobre bioética al estilo europeo: la etapa de la madurezThe new protocol about research with human beings, from the Biomedical Convention have demostrated that the regulation of this subject have been though strongly son it will be very productive regulation. 9 July 2003, DIARIO MEDICO / medical journal (Submitted by Universidad de deusto, Spain) Muscular dystrophy cell therapyThe muscular dystrophies are characterized by progressive weakness and wasting of striated muscle and are caused by inherited or de novo gene mutation of sarcolemma-associated proteins or nuclear membrane–associated proteins. Patients suffering from muscular dystrophies can obtain a precise diagnosis of their underlying molecular defect, but no efficient treatment to prevent disability and death has been available. In the July 10 Sciencexpress, Maurilio Sampaolesi and colleagues from the Stem Cell Research Institute at San Raffaele Hospital show that that intraarterial delivery of mesoangioblasts can correct the molecular defect in a murine model of muscular dystrophy (Sciencexpress, DOI:10.1126/science.1082254, July 10, 2003). 11 July 2003, The Scientist Daily News Also see: (Submitted by: SIBLE, UK) GM crops will have little economic benefit in UKGenetically-modified crops will bring little economic benefit to the UK in the face of vehement public opposition, a UK government report concluded on Friday. 11 July 2003, NewScientist.com News Service Also see: (Submitted by: SIBLE, UK) Austria's attempt at GM-free zone rejectedPlans to set up GM free zones in different parts of Europe were blown apart yesterday (July 10) as EU scientists suggested that Upper Austria´s request to create one be rejected. It is expected that the EU´s ban on GM crops will be lifted later
this year, as the recently approved, stricter rules on labelling the
biotech products come into to force. 11 July 2003, EUObserver.com Also see: (Submitted by: SIBLE, UK) Health warning: screening can seriously damage patientsHi-tech screening services, which promise to detect early signs of heart disease, cancer and other conditions while they can still be cured, are being introduced in Britain despite warnings from doctors that they may do more harm than good. A new allegation that breast screening, one of the longest established procedures, is being over-promoted to women who are not being alerted to the harm that can result is published today in the British Medical Journal. 11 July 2003, The Independent Online News (UK) (Submitted by: SIBLE, UK) Eight Member States referred to court for non-implementation of biotechnology directiveThe European Commission is referring eight Member States to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) for their failure to implement an EU directive on the legal protection of biotechnological inventions. 11 July 2003, CORDIS News (Submitted by: SIBLE, UK) Research on Stem Cells in EU (UE financia investigación con embriones congelados)Research on Stem Cells: E.U. will finance experiments with frozen embryos to obtain Stem Cells only when they have been created before June 27, 2002. This proposal made by the European Commission must now be approved by the Council and the Parliament. This funds will only be given to those countries whose national law allows this experiments. 10 July 2003, El Correodigital (Spain) (Submitted by Universidad de deusto, Spain) European Commission proposes strict ethical guidelines on EU funding of human embryonic stem cell researchToday the Commission adopted a proposal for guidelines on EU-funded human embryonic stem cell research. The EU 6th Research Framework Programme (FP6 2003-2006), as adopted by the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament in 2002, allows for the funding of human embryonic stem cell research in relation to the fight against major diseases. 9 July 2003, EC Press Release by EUROPA Also see: (Submitted by: SIBLE, UK) Research with surplus embryos (UE subvenciona la investigación con células madre embrionarias)EU will allow research on Embryonic Stem Cells under severe restrictions to avoid financing projects that create “ad hoc” embryos or make any kind of genetic manipulation. To get the funds, embryos must be obtained before an specific date and each proposal has to be approved by a National and an European committee among other restrictions. 9 July 2003, El Mundo.es (Spain) (Submitted by Universidad de deusto, Spain) Codex Alimentarius Commission adopts more than 50 new food standardsThe Codex Alimentarius Commission has adopted a landmark agreement on how to assess the risks to consumers from foods derived from biotechnology, including genetically modified foods. Altogether, the Commission adopted more than 50 new food safety and quality standards, some of which are revisions of old standards. The Commission adopted ground-breaking guidelines for assessing the food safety risks posed by foods derived from biotechnology. 9 July 2003, FAO Newsroom Also see: (Submitted by: SIBLE, UK) US reacts to EU GMO rulesUS trade officials say that the EU's proposed new rules for the labeling and traceability of genetically modified (GM) crops and foods will not be enough to resolve a complaint the United States currently has before the World Trade Organization (WTO). The rules, approved by a vote of the European Parliament last week, require special labeling of food with more than 0.9% GM content, or which involved GM crops in its production, and the meticulous tracing of GM products from the field to the consumer. 9 July 2003, The Scientist Daily News Also see: (Submitted by: SIBLE, UK) Mixed-sex embryo controversyFertility scientists are joining ethicists and antiabortion activists in criticizing a researcher's claim that he has created chimeric human embryos that are part male and part female. Scientists doubt the usefulness of work presented by Norbert Gleicher last week at the annual meeting of the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) in Madrid. ESHRE condemned the work immediately after it was presented. 8 July 2003, The Scientist Daily News (Submitted by: SIBLE, UK) MEPs open the door to lifting of GMO moratorium; make labelling compulsoryThe European Parliament adopted on 2 July the two legislative proposals concerning genetically modified (GM) food, giving a strong political momentum towards lifting the moratorium. 3 July 2003, EurActiv.com Also in: No end to world hunger without biotech-researchersWar, drought and runaway population growth will thwart efforts to halve global hunger by 2015 unless the full weight of science is brought to bear on food production, a farm research group for developing countries said on Wednesday. Without urgent investment in agricultural development -- including controversial biotechnology -- hundreds of millions will remain underfed in coming years, the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) said. 2 July 2003, Reuters Cell research guidelines delayedFaced with a possible moral backlash, the European Commission has decided to delay the publication of guidelines that were set to allow funding of research using embryonic stem cells. 2 July 2003, EUobserver.com GM labelling regime unhelpful in US rowTempers remain frayed as the President of the European Parliament lashes out at Washington. The EU's efforts to lift the moratorium on GM foods by establishing a strict labelling system for these products, is unlikely to be of any help in the current transatlantic dispute. 2 July 2003, EUobserver.com Outrage over aborted eggs planAnti-abortion campaigners have described the idea of using eggs from an aborted foetus in IVF treatment, which has been suggested as one solution to a worldwide shortage of women prepared to donate their eggs to help other women become pregnant, as "utterly grotesque". 1 July 2003, BBC News Online Womb transplant baby 'within three years'Scientists claim that the first human baby could be born from a transplanted womb within three years, reported a Swedish scientist at the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology annual meeting in Madrid. 1 July 2003, BBC News Online Funding of embryo cell research to get the nodThe Commission is expected today, Tuesday 1 July, to agree on guidelines that will allow the funding of research involving the use of embryonic stem cells, despite strong moral objections. 1 July 2003, EUobserver.com COMMENTARY :
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