Britain Opens National Stem-Cell Bank

[Tellurian]

POTTERS BAR, England - Britain opened the first national stem cell bank Wednesday to promote research into therapies using the master cells from human tissues including embryos.


"The government is committed to stem cell research because we believe it has tremendous potential. We expect to bring breakthroughs in the understanding and treatment of disease," Health Minister Lord Norman Warner said at the official opening.

Britain was the first nation to authorize the cloning of human embryos for research.

The bank was established at the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control at Potter's Bar, 12 miles (20 kms) north of London. Located on a quiet country lane, its mission is to store, characterize and grow cells, and distribute them to researchers around the world.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040519/ap_on_he_me/britain_stem_cell_bank_3

[Tellurian]

1. IIRC Bush has declared it a criminal offense for Americans to seek stem

cell therapy elsewhere.

As was mentioned in an interview with Chris Reeves..

[Hell Hath No Fury]

2. No shit?

I have to dig that up for the site -- that is fucking outrageous.

[calimary]

5. Well, it's okay to send his dad over to shake 'em down for campaign

funds, though. THAT is not a problem.

OUT! I WANT THEM OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DON'T WANNA HAVE TO WAIT TIL NOVEMBER!!!!!!!!!! OUT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kskiska]

7. There was even talk of fining anyone who'd received therapy

in a foreign country, but it was voted down, I think.

[LynzM]

3. Or at least for doctors/researchers to seek work abroad

working on stem cell research. How the heck can they decide that?! I'm diabetic, and they've cured mice using stem cell therapy; perhaps they can cure humans. And we're talking a real cure, long-term, no more insulin needed. How can he say it's not allowed for us to go seek that treatment elsewhere?

Glad to see the UK continuing this research!

[CO Liberal]

4. Bring In Some Stem Cells, Get a Toaster

:-)

[LibLabUK]

10. Oh :(

I wanted the porcelain piggy-banks! :)

[Tellurian]

6. The criminal aspect is covered in The Brownback-Landrieu bill

SUMMARY AS OF:
1/29/2003--Introduced.

Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2003 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit any person or entity, in or affecting interstate commerce, from knowingly: (1) performing or attempting to perform human cloning; (2) participating in such an attempt; (3) shipping or receiving an embryo produced by human cloning or any product derived from such an embryo; or (4) importing such an embryo.

Sets forth criminal and civil penalties.

Provides that nothing in this Act restricts areas of scientific research not specifically prohibited above, including research in the use of nuclear transfer or other cloning techniques to produce molecules, DNA, cells other than human embryos, tissues, organs, plants, or animals other than humans.

Directs the General Accounting Office to assess the need for amendment of such prohibition, including through: (1) a discussion of new developments, the need for somatic cell transfer to produce medical advances, current public attitudes and prevailing ethical views concerning its use, and potential legal implications of somatic cell transfer research; and (2) a review of any technological developments that may require technical changes to such prohibition.

http://www.congress.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d108:SN00245:@@@L&summ2=m&

[SoCalDem]

8. "Old Europe" boldly marches into the 21st century..and back in the USSA

we are "verbally stoning" gay people who want to have equal rights..
we are pooh-poohing the degradation of our environment
we are cutting funding to schools...kids are struggling with the "ABCs", while Europe is into the "DNAs"..
we are into "magic"..watch as $20 hr jobs, magically disappear before your very eyes..

We met in the middle, retreated, and are now marching backwards....Next stop for the Time Machine...the Crusades... wait..we are already there..:(

[Tellurian]

9. I'd like to see Nancy Reagan, MJFox, and Chris Reeves all aboard a private

jet destined for the UK...for Stem Cell therapy.

Ronnie, MJ and Chris all receive treatment and return home.

Do you think Asscroft would have the nerve to have them arrested?

personally? I don't..

[LibLabUK]

11. Umm

Isn't M J Fox a Canadian?