News

Patent Protest Erupts over Human Stem Cell Research
Deutsche Welle, December 28, 2006
German laws regarding embryonic stem cells are some of the most restrictive in the world, and recently a German court partially reversed approval for a patent to a German scientist for his stem-cell research methods.
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Missouri's Stem-cell Mistake
David Prentice, Christian Science Monitor, December 27, 2006
Few issues dominated news in Missouri this year like stem-cell research. In November, Amendment 2, a pro-stem-cell measure, passed with less than 51 percent of the vote. While the campaign slogans are gone, IBHF Fellow David Prentice asserts that the destructive impact of the law's fine print is not.
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Australia Lifts Therapeutic Cloning Ban
Rod McGuirk, Washington Post, December 6, 2006
Australian lawmakers rejected the views of their political leaders and lifted a four-year ban on cloning human embryos for stem-cell research.
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Australia Lifts Ban on Therapeutic Cloning
Rod Mcguirk, USA Today, December 6, 2006
Australia legalized the cloning of human embryos for stem-cell research with a vote by the House of Representatives that lifted a four-year-old ban on the procedure.
The legislation passed 82-62 in the House, where Prime Minister John Howard and others voted against it. The bill was already passed by the Senate.
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US Congress May Debate New Stem Cell Legislation in New Year
Antony Blackburn-Starza, BioNews.org.co.uk, December 4, 2006
In the United States, the Democrats have indicated that they will push for a vote on stem-cell legislation that would permit additional allocation of federal funding for research.
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Tissue Banking Raises Cloning Fears
Judy Skatssoon, Science Online, November 27, 2006
A survey of public attitudes toward tissue banking has revealed that some Australians are concerned that tissue samples held by hospitals could be used to make human clones, and many oppose using biopsy tissue as a source of stem cells or by drug companies.
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Clone Pioneer Plans Hybrid Eggs
Leigh Dayton, The Australian, November 23, 2006
The man who cloned Dolly the sheep says that putting human genes into animal eggs is the next step in stem-cell research. But he notes that creating a "chimera" (a human-animal hybrid) would be illegal in Australia.
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Stem Cell Bans Advance
Jim Wasserman, The Sacramento Bee, November 21, 2006
A state committee cleared the way for California's stem-cell research program to access $195 million despite legal challenges that continue to block funding.
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Cloning's Out, But Stem Cell R&D; Will Have Rules
Kounteya Sinha, Times of India, November 17, 2006
Unregulated stem-cell research in India is expected to end via with government guidelines that disallow human cloning, make donor consent mandatory for embryonic stem-cell research, and place strict conditions on in vitro culture of human embryos.
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Researchers Making Strides in Stem Cell Technology
Mike Enright, The Minnesota Daily, November 14, 2006
Although embryonic stem-cell research is fraught with problems, university scientists are making advances studying other types of stem cells.
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Working with Stem Cells? Pay Up
Glenn McGee, The Scientist, November 14, 2006
In August 2001, bioethicist Glenn McGee stated before a U.S. Senate subcommittee that as much as half of stem cell revenue would likely end up going to patent holders because of absurd patents on the human embryo.
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Signs of Change in US Stem Cell Policy?
Antony Blackburn-Starza, BioNews.org.uk, November 13, 2006
There is a sentiment that change may be at hand regarding U.S. embryonic stem-cell research following the mid-term elections, which saw Democrats capturing the majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
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Speaker Explores Ethical Issues in Stem Cell Research
Sherry Fisher, University of Connecticut Magazine, November 13, 2006
Research involving human stem cells may one day help cure conditions, such as Parkinson's disease, but experiments that transplant human stem cells into prenatal non-humans pose serious ethical concerns, according to ethicist Cynthia Cohen.
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Kansas May Push for Stem Cell Amendment
Scott Rothschild, Lawrence Journal-World, November 10, 2006
Kansas officials say they may push for a stem-cell research amendment, similar to one that narrowly passed in Missouri.
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Stem Cell Research Gets Green Light
Katharine Murphy and Annabel Stafford, TheAge.com, November 8, 2006
Australian scientists are set to create cloned embryos for stem-cell research after the legislature passed a bill legalizing the controversial practice.
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Stem Cell Proponents Claim Razor-thin Victory
Matt Franck, The Saint Louis Post-Dispatch, November 8, 2006
By a very small margin, Missouri voters approved Amendment 2, allowing all forms of embryonic stem-cell research.
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South Korean Stem Cell Scientist Sues for Old Job
Reuters.com, November 6, 2006
Disgraced South Korean stem-cell scientist Hwang Woo-suk is suing to get his old job back, according to his lawyer.
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Hwang Takes the Stand at Fraud Trial
David Cyranoski, Nature, November 1, 2006
Hwang Woo-suk has taken the stand in court in his defense for the first time. The once-lauded cloning expert was confident and defiant as he refuted the prosecution's claims that he embezzled money, committed fraud, and broke a bioethics law, at one point citing dealings with the Russian mafia to explain himself.
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Half of Americans Support Stem Cell Research
Angus Reid, November 1, 2006
According to a poll by Princeton Survey Research Associates published in Newsweek, 50 percent of respondents favored using federal tax dollars to fund medical research using stem cells obtained from human embryos.
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Cloning's Questionable Case
Ron Boswell, Courier Mail, October 31, 2006
According to answers provided by the National Health and Medical Research Council in Australia, only one license has been "issued for the generation of embryonic stem cell lines aimed at treating a specific condition."
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The Big Stem-cell Breakthrough That You're Not Hearing About
Wesley J. Smith, The Weekly Standard, October 31, 2006
Major events in biotechnology are going unreported by the media. This article discusses some of the reasons why some discoveries fail to get media coverage and the implications of such failure for public health.
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Stem Cell Debate Heats Up Over Wording
Matt Franck, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, October 29, 2006
The political battle over a constitutional amendment to protect embryonic stem cell research has increasingly placed the ballot measure itself under the microscope, fueling bitter disagreement over its legal meaning.
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Fallen Stem Cell Scientist Blames a Conspiracy
Bruce Wallace, Los Angeles Times, October 28, 2006
The South Korean researcher testifies that his lab assistants deceived him and that he can prove his work.
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Misleading Missouri
Yuval Levin, National Review, October 19, 2006
This November, voters in Missouri will be asked to consider a ballot initiative on human cloning and embryonic-stem-cell research. The initiative has been the focus of an intense (if lopsided) campaign in the state for months, with millions of dollars in ads calling for passage. But many of the most basic facts about just what the proposal says and aims to do have not fully emerged.
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Stem Cell Issue Roils Missouri Race
David A. Lieb, Associated Press, October 26, 2006
Ailing actor Michael J. Fox, rock star cancer-survivor Sheryl Crow, Super Bowl hero Kurt Warner, World Series pitcher Jeff Suppan, and celebrities galore have all given voters their two cents on the stem-cell issue, which is at the forefront of the November elections in Missouri.
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Michael J. Fox Ignites Stem-cell Debate
Carey Gilliam, Reuters, October 25, 2006
On the stem-cell issue, it appears to be the Catholic Church versus actor Michael J. Fox in the run up to a hotly contested vote on stem-cell research in the Midwest.
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Making Stem Cell Issue Personal, and Political
Alessandra Stanley, The New York Times, October 25, 2006
One of the most talked about political ads in 2006 features Michael J. Fox and the toll Parkinson's has had on him.
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Biologists Want to Drop the Word 'Cloning'
New Scientist, October 21, 2006
Scientists want the term "somatic cell nuclear transfer" (SCNT) to be used instead of "therapeutic cloning" for the technique that produces cloned embryos from which stem cells can then be isolated.
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Genetic Crossroads: California Victory - Standards and Safeguards on Egg Donation
Center for Genetics and Society, October 20, 2006
California has become the first U.S. state to legislate a set of standards and safeguards for procuring women's eggs for cloning and stem-cell research.
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Fact Sheet on SB 1260
Full Text of SB 1260

Stem Cell Centre Signals Stand Against 'Chimera'
Leigh Dayton and Matthew Franklin, The Australian, October 12, 2006
The Australian Stem Cell Centre has distanced itself from a recommendation to legalize a controversial technique that merges animal eggs and human cells in a surprise move designed to clear the path to therapeutic cloning.
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What's Up, Doc? Move to Create Human-rabbit Embryos
The Scotsman, October 6, 2006
Scientists are poised to press ahead with controversial plans to create hybrid human and rabbit embryos.
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Was Stem-cell Advance 'Obvious'?
David Wahlberg, Wisconsin State Journal, October 16, 2006
A federal review of Wisconsin's embryonic stem-cell patents will not question what everyone concedes: that University of Wisconsin-Madison scientist James Thomson was the first to grow a colony of the cells from humans in a lab.
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Free Stem Cells for All?
New Scientist, October 3, 2006
Free stem cells for all? Possibly, now that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is re-examining key patents on human embryonic stem cells that some say have been stifling stem-cell research.
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California Dreaming
BioEdge 222, October 10, 2006
The word from the world's best-funded stem-cell institute is that there will be no cures for at least 15 years.
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State by State Stem Cell Round-up
BioEdge 222, October 10, 2006
With November elections around the corner, a number of races in the United States could be decided by voters' views on human embryonic stem-cell research.
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Plans Unveiled for State-financed Stem Cell Work in California
Nicholas Wade, New York Times, October 5, 2006
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine issued a plan for how it intends to spend the $3 billion assigned by the state's voters to finance stem-cell research.
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Stem Cell Experts Seek License to Create Human-rabbit Embryo
Ian Sample, The Guardian, October 5, 2006
British scientists are seeking approval to create embryos by fusing human cells with animal eggs. This controversial research is geared toward the study of diseases for the creation of new drugs.
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Stem Cell Patents Get a Review
Bernadette Tansey, San Francisco Chronicle, October 4, 2006
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has agreed to re-evaluate the validity of three core stem-cell patents held by a Wisconsin foundation that has been accused of strangling U.S. research in the field due to its demands for license fees and royalties.
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Has Embryonic Stem Cell Science Been Oversold
bioEdge.com, October 3, 2006
In the wake of overblown claims by Advanced Cell Technology that it had developed an ethical method of deriving embryonic stem cells, concern about the reporting of such scientific "breakthroughs" is mounting.
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Cloning Without Stem Cells Works
BBC News, October 2, 2006
U.S. scientists say stem cells are not necessary for cloning, and other cells may even be better candidates.
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WI Researchers to Get Stem Cells Without License Fees
Carla Vigue, Office of the Governor of Wisconsin, September 28, 2006
Governor Doyle announced a partnership to recruit and retain stem-cell companies through new research agreements and state grants.
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Governor Signs Bill Protecting Egg Donors
Times Staff Reports, Los Angeles Times, September 27, 2006
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill designed to protect women who donate their eggs for use in stem-cell research.
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Bit Player or Powerhouse? China and Stem-cell Research
Fiona Murray and Debora Spar, New England Journal of Medicine, September 21, 2006
This article discusses whether China's practical capacity for technological advances in genetics and biotechnology can match its ambition to be a world leader in the sciences.
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Police to Investigate Cloning Company
Leo Leonidou, Cyprus Mail, September 16, 2006
Officials in Cyprus are investigating a company that is allegedly involved in the study of illegal cloning technology.
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A Tight Grip on Tech Transfer
Goldie Blumenstyk, The Chronicle of Higher Education, September 15, 2006
Critics argue that the fierce protection of patent rights by universities and university-based entities impedes stem-cell research.
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Scientists, Lawmakers Eye Missouri as Stem Cell Vote Nears
Alan Scher Zagier, Associated Press, September 14, 2006
Many are looking to Missouri as the bellwether state for stem-cell research. A proposed state constitutional amendment to guarantee that federally-approved research can be conducted within Missouri be will voted on in November.
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US Firm, Institute Agree to Distribute Stem Cells
Reuters, September 12, 2006
A company reporting it had developed a less controversial way to produce human embryonic stem cells and an academic also engaged in the creation of stem cells are joining forces to distribute these cells.
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Debate Launched over Donor Eggs for Research
Global Internet News, September 8, 2006
Medical experts call for more debate about the practice of egg donation for research purposes in order to aid women in deciding whether or not to engage in this procedure.
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State Council Backs Stem Cell Rules
Stephen Smith and David Abel, The Boston Globe, August 30, 2006
Critics argue that new regulations regarding stem-cell research, approved by the Massachusetts Public Health Council, extend beyond the scope of last fall's stem-cell law. University researchers are wary of the regulations, which they argue criminalize research activities.
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Nations Only Researchers in Cloned Embryos Say No to Study
The Yomiuri Shimbun, August 28, 2006
Japan's only research group qualified to study embryo cloning has declined to pursue research at this time, citing psychological, physical, and ethical concerns.
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Human Cloning Study is University Challenge
Lancashire Evening Post, August 25, 2006
Social scientists at Lancaster University are studying human cloning by watching American films on the topic.
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Brazil Embryo Registry Worries Scientists
Peter Muello, Associated Press, August 23, 2006
Stem cell researchers in Brazil claim they will have extreme difficulty complying with government regulations requiring their clinics identify thousands of frozen embryos.
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New Embryonic Stem Cell Study Smoke and Mirrors Says Bioethicist
IBHF Fellow and bioethics professor C. Ben Mitchell cautions that Advanced Cell Technology's new method of producing stem cells does not solve the ethical problems associated with embryonic stem cell research, and actually may give rise to new issues.
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New Stem Cell Method Avoids Destroying Embryos
Nicholas Wade, New York Times, August 23, 2006
Advanced Cell Technology, a biotech company in California, has developed a method for creating stem cells for medical research without destroying human embryos. Researchers hope the new technique will quell political and ethical conflicts.
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Disgraced S. Korean Cloning Expert Sets Up New Research Lab
Breitbart.com, August 18, 2006
Hwang Woo-Suk, who is still standing trial for fraud and is barred from conducting research using human eggs, has opened a new lab to conduct research on cross-species organ transplants.
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Australian Parliament to Review Stem Cell Limits
James Grubel, Reuters, August 17, 2006
Australian politicians are pushing to overturn legislation on the hotly-debated and ethically-charged embryonic stem-cell research issue.
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Singapore Acts as Haven for Stem Cell Research
Wayne Arnold, New York Times, August 17, 2006
Some American stem-cell researchers are eager to transfer to Singapore, due to the nation's stem-cell policies.
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Anti-ban Billionaires
Matthew Herper and Robert Langreth, Forbes, August 16, 2006
Federal funding limits on embryonic stem cell research has prompted some wealthy Americans to donate research funds to universities and labs.
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Egg Harvesting for Stem Cell Research
Fiona Bennett, Innovations Report/alphagalileo, August 14, 2006
IBHF Affiliated Scholars Diane Beeson and Abby Lippman co-authored a report on the medical risks and ethical implications associated with egg donation for stem-cell research.
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Ethical Clash More Complex Than Fight Between Right and Left
John Warhurst, Canberra Times, August 10, 2006
After the United States failed to pass an embryonic stem-cell bill and the EU did the opposite and supported funding, it is unclear in what direction Australian Parliament will ultimately take on the issue of stem-cell research.
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Payment to Egg Donors 'Justified'
Mark Henderson, Times Online, August 10, 2006
A bioethicist stated that women donating eggs for stem-cell research should be compensated for the risk, time, and inconvenience associated with the procedure.
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Missourians Will Vote on Stem Cell Initiative
Secretary of State Certifies Initiative as Amendment 2
Connie Farrow, Missouri Coalition for Lifesaving Cures, August 8, 2006
Supporters of the Missouri Stem Cell Initiative are pleased to hear that the measure has been placed on a statewide ballot to be voted on in November.
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Sheep Cloner Supports Human Ban
Jane Williams, Australian, August 6, 2006
Dr. Alan Colman, a scientist in the Dolly-the-sheep cloning experiment, is supporting Australia's ban on therapeutic cloning using embryonic stem cells.
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Invasion of the Clones
Kerstin Bergman, The Scientist, August 3, 2006
Fictional tales of human cloning, whether in print or on screen, shape the public's perception of "clones" and may influence policy concerning reproductive cloning.
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Cloning's Egg Donors Get Cheap IVF
Mark Henderson, The Australian , July 29, 2006
British women undergoing in vitro fertilization can reduce treatment costs up to half by donating 50% of their eggs for stem-cell research after clinics gained approval by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.
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Stem-cell Board to Call for Research Proposals: $150 Million Loan Will Fund First Grants
Steve Johnson, Mercury News, August 3, 2006
California's $3-billion stem-cell institute hopes to begin soliciting grants within weeks and awarding them as soon as February after receiving $150 million from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
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EU Urged to Follow US on Stem Cell Research
Financial Times, July 25, 2006
Following President Bush's veto of embryonic stem-cell research, support from EU member states trying to retain funding for the potentially life-saving research has lagged.
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Therapeutic Cloning - the Case Against
Morris Iemma, Sydney Morning Herald, July 25, 2006
This article argues against therapeutic cloning and for a united national stance on embryonic stem-cell research.
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Age-old Objections Must Not be Allowed to Delay this Revolution
Bob Carr, Sydney Morning Herald, July 25, 2006
This article argues for therapeutic cloning in order to amplify stem-cell research, which could lead to cures or treatments for a variety of debilitating diseases.
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Disgraced Scientist Says He Tried to Clone Mammoth
CNN.com, July 25, 2006
In addition to denying misappropriation of funds and falsification of data, Korean stem-cell researcher Hwang Woo-Suk claims to have attempted to clone both pre-historic mammoths and tigers.
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Hawking Criticises EU States Trying to Ban Stem Cell Research
Steve Connor and Stephen Castle, The Independent, July 24, 2006
Acclaimed scientist Stephen Hawking has openly attacked EU states and President Bush for opposing embryonic stem-cell research.
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Governor Schwarzenegger Takes Executive Action to Strengthen Stem Cell Research in California
Office of the Governor, July 20, 2006
A press release from the office of Governor Schwarzenegger calls for increased funding to support California voter-approved embryonic stem-cell research.
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Maverick Medic Reveals Details of Baby Cloning Experiment
David Adam, Guardian Unlimited, July 20, 2006
Reproductive scientist Panos Zavos has attested to conducting somatic cell nuclear transfer experiments for reproductive purposes by publishing the results of his research. He claims to have transferred early-stage embryos into patients but says that none have resulted in pregnancies.
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Stem Cell Debate Wedges Bush Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Dana Milbank, Washington Post, July 18, 2006
As President Bush prepared to exercise his first veto after five years in office, he faced intense pressure from supporters of stem-cell research.
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ANALYSIS -- Stem-cell Science Moves in All Directions
Maggie Fox, Reuters, July 16, 2006
As the Senate vote on approving research on embryonic stem cells drew near, a debate ensued over which method of stem cell research (adult or embryonic) will result in greater medical value.
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Biotech Industry No Longer Has to Share Stem-cell Research
Sandy Kleffman, Contra Costa Times, July 14, 2006
A California panel has decided that biotech research and development entities no longer have to share patented inventions with California research institutes.
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Cloning Research Goes Under the Microscope
Masashi Yoshida, Daily Yomiuri Online, July 13, 2006
A Japanese working group of the Education, Science and Technology Ministry has drafted revisions to Japan's cloning policy, imposing stricter regulation on human cloning research as a result of the South Korean cloning scandal.
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Canberra to Resist Stem-cell Moves
Katharine Murphy, July 3, 2006
Canberra will withhold research funding if Victoria decides to allow therapeutic cloning, which Canberra opposes on religious and ethical grounds.
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More Europeans Back Biotech
Stephen Pincock, The Scientist, June 26, 2006
While Europeans are still apprehensive about genetically modified foods, data shows that they are becoming more accepting of embryonic stem-cell research.
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Biotech Investors Won't See Stem Cell Cash for Years
Aaron Smith, CNNMoney.com, June 22, 2006
Experts predict that current breakthroughs in stem-cell research and development will not reach consumers and patients for years.
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American Bishops Reaffirm Church Support for Adult Stem-cell Research
Catholic Online, June 21, 2006
The American Catholic Church has affirmed its support for adult stem-cell research.
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South Korean Stem Cell Scientist Goes on Trial
Reuters, June 20, 2006
Stem-cell researcher Hwang Woo-suk went on trial Tuesday, June 26, 2006, for allegedly manipulating research results indicating that he had produced stem-cell lines from cloned human embryos and misusing state funds.
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Church Leaders Express Dismay over Europe Embryonic Stem-cell Funding
Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service, June 19, 2006
The Vatican has expressed disapproval of the E.U.'s recent decision to fund embryonic stem-cell research.
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Wisconsin, California Could Spar Over Stem Cells
The Kansas City Star, June 18, 2006
A Wisconsin stem-cell research organization could potentially halt research activity in California by denying patent rights to California's publicly funded research labs.
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Lack of Human Eggs Could Hamper US Cloning Efforts
Emily Singer, Technology Review, June 15, 2006
Although Harvard scientists received clearance to begin human cloning research to create patient-specific stem cell lines, collecting sufficient human oocytes may prove difficult due to the medical procedures donors are required to undergo so that eggs can be harvested.
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Debate on Stem Cells Holds Back EU Research Drive
Raphael Minde and Clive Cookson, Financial Times, June 14, 2006
As the EU attempts to become more active in stem-cell research and increase its overall stake in the biotechnology sector, religious groups have raised concerns about the cloning of human embryos.
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Crossing Line on Cloning
James L. Sherley, The Boston Globe, June 12, 2006
This editorial questions the objectives of the recently undertaken Harvard human stem-cell research program and implores the consideration of ethical issues surrounding human cloning.
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Ethical Questions Complicate the Recruitment of Egg Donors
Gareth Cook, The Boston Globe, June 7, 2006
Compared to egg donation for fertility purposes, women donating eggs for stem cell research face potential health hazards without immediate benefits to them or the recipients of the eggs.
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Harvard Announces Private Project to Make Human Stem Cells
Rick Weiss, Washington Post, June 7, 2006
Harvard University is launching a private research project intended to produce human stem cells.
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Cloning 'Could Beat Gene Disease'
BBC News, June 5, 2006
Professor Wilmut, a scientist in the Dolly the sheep project, has proposed a method of eliminating genetically-related illnesses by taking an early-stage embryo, removing the genetic flaw, making a copy, and re-implanting the new and improved embryo into the mother. This proposal raises questions concerning genetic discrimination, germline intervention, and eugenics.
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Minister Roils Italy on Stem Cell Research
Maria Sanminiatelli, June 3, 2006
Italy's new research minister, Fabio Mussi, has removed Italy's signature from a declaration of ethics objecting to EU-funded stem cell research. In Italy, stem cell research is illegal, so no action will be taken based on Mussi's decision.
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$100 Million Fundraising Goal Set
Terri Somers, June 3, 2006
Efforts are underway to raise capital for California's stem cell research initiative, which resulted from the passage of Proposition 71 and which has been precluded from state funds due to litigation.
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Stem Cells Repair Damaged Spinal Tissue in Rats
Daily News Central, March 30, 2006
A study performed in rats took stem cells from the brain and used them to repair damaged myelin-producing tissue in the spinal cord. Results showed increased mobility and coordination, and may lead to treatments for severe disabilities, as well as Alzheimer's Disease.
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Guarded Optimism over German Scientists' Stem Cell Success
Daily News Central, March 26, 2006
A recent study has indicated the possibility of retrieving spermatogonial cells from men and converting them into stem cells capable of being used for regenerative purposes. However, questions remain as to the viability of the approach for humans - originally performed with mice - as well as its ability to be adapted to women.
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S. Korea Scientist on Fraud Charge
BBC News, May 12, 2006
Hwang Woo-Suk, the South Korean cloning scientist who faked the cloning of human embryos, has been indicted on charges if fraud, embezzlement, and bioethics law violations. Charges were also laid against five members of the team working with the scientist.
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Australia Debates Therapeutic Cloning
Stephen Pincock, The Scientist, May 3, 2006
In a recent announcement, the Australian Federal Health Minister authorized $16.7 million to help establish a stem cell research center for the study of adult stem cells. The announcement comes in the midst of intense governmental debate over somatic cell nuclear transfer research.
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Lax Oversight Blamed for Stem Cell Hoax
The Washington Post (AP), April 24, 2006
A Pittsburgh Tribune-Review investigation identified poor oversight and a disregard of federal human subjects recommendations by the University of Pittsburgh as contributing to the cloning scandal involving Pitt researcher Gerald Schatten and Hwang Woo-Suk.
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Judge Says California Stem Cell Agency Legal
Paul Elias, The Washington Post (AP), April 22, 2006
A recent California state ruling has found the stem cell agency designed to administer the first round of funding from controversial Proposition 71 to be constitutional.
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Mislead Egg Donors Sue for Compensation
Kim Tong-hyung, The Korea Times, April 21, 2006
A lawsuit has been filed by two women who donated eggs for research conducted by Hwang Woo-Suk. The women allege fully informed about the potential risks of the procedure.
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Embryo Cloning Dispute Heats Up
Joseph Kerr, The Australian, April 21, 2006
An ongoing Australian governmental dispute over stem cell research is expected to receive greater attention, as a vote is likely to occur soon that will decide the fate of research that is currently banned.
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Falling Behind on Stem Cell Research
Christopher Thomas Scott and Jennifer McCormick, The Boston Globe, April 18, 2006
Two biomedical ethicists weigh in on the implications of two competing pieces of federal stem cell legislation pending before Congress.
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Cloning an Attack on Families, Says Pontiff
The Sunday Times, April 16, 2006
Pope Benedict the XVI spoke out strongly this week against human cloning calling it an attack against families and stating that it illustrates the narcissistic state of modern values.
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Scientists in U.S. to Attempt Human Cloning South Koreans Faked
www.bloomberg.com, April 13, 2006
Scientists at Harvard and in California will use private funds to attempt to clone a human embryo and extract stem cells for research on major disorders. The researchers seek to be the first to accomplish the task after Hwang Woo-Suk's claim was discredited.
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U.S. Lags in Stem Cell Research
Washington Post, April 7, 2006
New research suggests that the United States is falling behind in the area of stem cell research.
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Brittlestar Provides New Model for Stem Cell Research
www.EurekAlert.net, April 7, 2006
A close relative to the starfish, the brittlestar, may provide a new way for scientists to study stem cells in a living organism because of their regenerative capabilities after losing a limb. This would eliminate ethical concerns surrounding the science.
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Embryonic Stem-cell Research Spreads Despite Curbs
Antonio Regalado, The Wall Street Journal, April 4, 2006
Federal government spending on stem cell research reached an all-time high last year.
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South Korea Will Pick Up Embryonic Stem Cell Research Post-Hwang
Steven Ertelt, LifeNews.com, March 30, 2006
South Korea plans to move forward with the international stem cell bank that was making strides prior to the Hwang incident, according to the government. Officials still wish to promote the research into human an animal stem cell cloning, incorporating the Hwang team's successful techniques into new research.
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Hollywood and Congressman Start Embryonic Stem Cell Research PAC
Steven Ertelt, LifeNews.com, March 21, 2006
A Colorado Congresswoman and several Hollywood elite have organized the Stem Cell Action Fund political action committee to raise money to support candidates who back embryonic stem cell research.
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Stem Cell Researcher's License Revoked
Jae-Soon Chang, The Washington Post, March 16, 2006
Hwang Woo-Suk's Korean license to conduct stem cell research has been revoked by the South Korean government in the latest fallout surrounding fabricated research data.
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Science Moves on from Dog Clone
Rebecca Morelle, BBC News, March 9, 2006
An independent group of researchers from the journal Nature has determined that Hwang Woo-Suk's "Snuppy" clone is indeed a clone. The fallout from the Hwang ethical breach concerning cloning of human embryonic stem cells will likely result in more intensive peer reviews involving more data and possibly independent experimentation.
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Should Women Who Do Not Seek Fertility Treatment Provide Egg Cells for Stem Cell Research?
Jan Deckers, www.BioNews.org.uk, March 8, 2006
A health care ethicist poses questions surrounding the U.K.'s Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority's proposal to allow women to donate eggs specifically for cloning research.
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"I Didn't Clone Dolly the Sheep," Says Prof
Auslan Cramb, news.telegraph, March 8, 2006
Famed researcher, Ian Wilmut, recently told a tribunal in Scotland that he held a supervisory role in cloning Dolly the sheep, but that he was not responsible for creating the technology or implementing the experiments.
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Human Cloning and Embryonic Stem Cell Research after Seoul: Examining Exploitation, Fraud, and Ethical Problems in the Research
Testimony before the U.S. Congress Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources, March 7, 2006
The U.S. Congress recently heard testimony concerning human cloning and embryonic stem cell research from several experts, including Institute on Biotechnology and the Human Future (IBHF) Fellow Judy Norsigian and IBHF Affiliated Scholar Diane Beeson.
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What Was Bush's 'Human/Animal Hybrid' Warning All About?
J. Scott Orr, www.newhousenews.com, March 3, 2006
This article clarifies President Bush's State of the Union Address statement regarding "human/animal hybrids" and further explains the current research on what are scientifically known as chimeras. Institute on Biotechnology and the Human Future (IBHF) Fellow David Prentice, Ph.D., and IBHF President Nigel Cameron, Ph.D., are quoted.
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Korean Cloning Expert Questioned
www.news.bbc.co.uk, March 2, 2006
Prosecutors in South Korea have begun questioning Hwang Woo-Suk about possible misuse of government funds used for his cloning research. This is the first time he has been questioned since news broke last fall of the scandal surrounding fabricated research results.
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New Stem Cell Recommendations
Laura Nelson, www.the-scientist.com, February 27, 2006
The Hinxton Group, a collaboration of scientists, lawyers, ethicists, and scientific journal editors, has created a set of voluntary guidelines for conducting stem cell research. The guidelines, which resemble those of the United Kingdom, are intended to provide guidance to researchers in countries that lack formal regulation.
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Legal and Ethical Questions About Stem Cell Research
Henry Greeley, www.plosmedicine.org, February 27, 2006
Law professor Henry Greely of Stanford considers some of the many questions that must still be answered concerning the ethical, legal, and political implications of stem cell research. Unanswered questions exist about donor anonymity, chimeras, and intellectual and personal property, among others.
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Radical Proposal to Speed Development of Stem Cell Therapies
Merrill Goozner, www.plosmedicine.org, February 27, 2006
Merrill Goozner of the Center for Science in the Public Interest has proposed a new type of program to increase stem cell therapy development. In contrast to acquiring patents with use restrictions and relying on late-stage private funding, Goozner suggests the creation of an open-source patent pool and a government-funded prize system for innovations.
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France Oks Domestic Stem Cells
Clementine Wallace, www.the-scientist.com, February 23, 2006
A decree passed by French lawmakers earlier this month expresses the guidelines under which stem cell researchers must operate. Scientists may only use excess embryos from in vitro fertilization treatments and are prohibited from cloning humans.
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Fake Findings Used to Secure $16M Grant
Jennifer Bails, www.pittsburghlive.com, February 22, 2006
University of Pittsburgh researcher, Gerald Schatten, obtained a $16-million governmental grant last fall based on now-discredited research conducted with Hwang Woo-Suk. The grant will be used to conduct stem cell research.
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Scientist Set to Answer S. Korea Stem Cell Questions
Reuters, alertnet.org, February 17, 2006
Dr. Gerald Schatten, of the University of Pittsburgh, has agreed to answer a series of questions via email from South Korean prosecutors concerning his involvement with the research of Hwang Woo-Suk. The prosecution is investigating the team for criminal fraud, including violation of a bioethics law and misuse of state funds.
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Science Academy Creating Panel to Monitor Stem-Cell Research
Nicholas Wade, nytimes.com, February 16, 2006
The National Academy of Sciences will organize a committee to provide oversight for human embryonic stem-cell research.
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Governor Wants $100 Million Set Aside for Stem Cell Research
Associated Press, stltoday.com, February 15, 2006
In the latest Illinois state budget proposal, Governor Rod Blagojevich wants $100 million over five years to fund stem cell research. Blagojevich stated that the money would come from Illinois� share of a tobacco industry settlement, but the budget book showed the funding was from the sunset of certain corporate tax breaks. Critics oppose using tax dollars to fund the controversial science.
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Donor Breakthrough for Cloning Research
Mark Henderson, timesonline.co.uk, February 14, 2006
New rules in Britain will allow women to donate eggs to be used in therapeutic cloning research, despite possible adverse affects. Current rules only allow for women undergoing IVF treatment to donate for experimentation.
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A Surplus of Embryos
Rich Bonin, cbsnews.com, February 12, 2006
This is a transcript of a "60 Minutes" interview about the surplus of embryos that exist because of overproduction for the purpose of in-vitro fertilization treatments in the United States. The unused embryos contain stem cells and could provide material for therapeutic cloning research.
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Panel Admonishes Stem-cell Scientist
Rick Weiss, The Washington Post, February 11, 2006
A University of Pittsburgh investigative team has determined that Dr. Gerald Schatten committed "research misbehavior" in his involvement with Hwang Woo-Suk. The investigators cited several reasons for their conclusion, including lack of "oversight and critical judgment" and a willingness to accept financial gains.
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Notwithstanding the South Korean Controversy, India is Vying to Find a Niche in Stem Cell Research Arena
BV Mahalakshmi & Sudhir Chowdhary, financialexpress.com, January 30, 2006
Forthcoming draft guidelines from the Department of Biotechnology and Indian Council of Medical Research plan to outline the U.S. and Indian cooperative effort in stem cell research. India is seeking to become a world leader in the field through development of techniques to combat genetic disorders.
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The Forbidden Cure
Oliver Brustle, globalagendamagazine.com, 2005
Professor Brustle, of the University of Bonn, outlines the benefits that stem cells could confer on the public, but cautions that an international code of conduct must be developed to ensure responsible science and protection of intellectual property.
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Hwang: All Eyes on Journals' Conflict of Interest Policy
R. Prasad, hindu.com, January 26, 2006
Recent news from nature.com identifies that an unknown conflict of interest existed when colleagues Hwang Woo Suk and Gerald Schatten submitted their stem cell research articles to the journals Nature and Science. The two had applied for a patent on their techniques prior to publishing, which requires a notation when submitting the articles to identify potential bias in the research. No notation was made.
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Korean Cloning Scandal Hits Home
John Paul Titlow, The Temple News, January 24, 2006
The University of Pittsburgh is conducting an investigation of Dr. Gerald Schatten concerning his involvement with Korean stem cell researcher Hwang Woo Suk. Hwang recently published research in two journals claiming to have created cloned human embryonic stem cells. The research was later found to be fraudulent.
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A "Body Blow" to Stem Cell Research
Businessweek.com, January 23, 2006
Industry insiders and investors see the controversy surrounding South Korean scientist Hwang as a major setback to the reputation of stem cell science. The future of peer-reviewed articles may also decrease investment. New methods will likely be used to verify the accuracy of research, which may result in fewer articles for investors to study when determining whether or not to invest.
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Kirk Savages Plans for More Embryo Research
Jason Allardyce, timesonline.co.uk, January 15, 2006
The Church of Scotland has forcefully spoken out against stem cell research as the government has entertained the idea of updating the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act of 1990 in light of new scientific developments. If the update occurs, it will likely allow the use of embryologic stem cells within the next few years. The Church views the process as sanctioning murder.
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Pitt Biologist Trying to Patent Human Cloning Process
Jennifer Bails, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, January 7, 2006
University of Pittsburgh researcher Gerald Schatten, a former colleague of South Korean scientist Hwang Woo-Suk, has filed a U.S. patent application related to human cloning and embryonic stem cell procedures. The South Korean researcher has filed a similar international patent application.
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Women's Groups Demand Egg Donation Probe
English.chosun.com, January 4, 2006
South Korean women's rights groups are demanding a probe into the methods used by Korean researcher Hwang Woo Suk for procurement of eggs for research purposes.
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Wisconsin Scientists Grow Two New Stem Cell Lines in Animal Cell-Free Culture
University of Wisconsin-Madison Press Release, Eurekalert.net, January 1, 2006
University of Wisconsin affiliate WiCell has developed a new system for growing human embryonic stem cell lines, which is completely free of cells from other animals. This is the first defined culture medium that eliminates animal cells and, with that, the possibility of contaminating the cell line with an animal virus or condition.
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