Government panel divided over cloning, Japan
With proponents stressing the contribution cloned human embryos can make in cutting-edge medicine, and opponents arguing against the use of embryos as research tools, there are concerns that the council may have to compile its final report without having resolved the rift between the two sides.
A law regulating the use of cloning technology was enacted in 2001 to ban the production of human embryos. The law has a provision stating that it be reviewed by June 2004.
The council has met up to twice a month to discuss whether such cloning should be approved.
On June 8, when the 28th discussion was held, the two sides still could not iron out their differences over the issue.
As a result, council Chairman Taizo Yakushiji stressed that he would not have the two different views included in the final report to be compiled by the end of July, saying he would put the two views to a vote if an agreement could not be reached.
Tokyo University Prof. Susumu Shimazono, who is cautious about allowing the cloning of human embryos, said an ethical issue should not be decided by a vote.
Research on cloning embryos is a cutting-edge medical field in which capable researchers around the world are competing fiercely.
Seiji Hasegawaand Tatsuya Kimura Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writers
This article continues on this page of The Daily Yomiuri, Japan.....
Guvernul a împãrþit peste panoul de clonare, Japonia - Government panel divided over cloning, Japan - articole medicale engleza - startsanatate