News - Announcements

BMA: Doctors to debate euthanasia law (28.6.2005)
Some representatives at the British Medical Association conference voiced support for a private member's bill which would legalise the right to die.

Belgique : à propos des kits d'euthanasie (28.6.2005)
Le Sénat Belge examine actuellement une proposition de loi complétant celle du 28 mai 2002 relative à l'euthanasie. Il se penche sur le rôle du pharmacien, ainsi que l'utilisation et la disponibilité des substances euthanasiantes.Cette proposition intervient quelques semaines après la mise sur le marché des "kits d'euthanasie" (cf revue de presse du 18/04/05).

Italian law on ART brings problems for doctors and patients
Copenhagen, Denmark: Three presentations to the`21st annual conference of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology highlighted the effect of the new Italian law on the choices available to infertile parents. The law came into effect in February 2004 and forbids the fertilisation of more than three oocytes at the same time, says that all embryos obtained must be transferred irrespective of their condition, and forbids embryo freezing.

World first: Scientists succeed in cloning human embryos from eggs matured in the lab (20.6.2005)
Copenhagen, Denmark: Scientists in Belgium have discovered how to clone human embryos from eggs that have been matured in the laboratory. Their discovery should make it easier for scientists to create embryonic stem cell lines from cloned embryos and develop them to provide eggs and sperm for infertile couples, the 21st annual conference of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology heard today (Monday 20 June).

Italians fail to overturn restrictive reproduction law (18.6.2005)
Only one Italian in four voted in the referendum last Sunday and Monday to modify the country's highly restrictive law on assisted reproduction. This number fell far short of the quorum of more than 50% needed to change the law.

CCNE : Autorisation du refus de traitement (11.6.2005)
Le Comité consultatif national d'éthique a autorisé lesmédecins, par son dernier avis rendu public le 9 juin 2005, à ne s'opposer à la décision de refus de traitement du patient, qu'en cas de "situations exceptionnelles", mettant en jeu la vie d'un enfant à naître, par exemple.

UK proposes reforms for research ethics committees (11.6.2005)
NHS research ethics committees (RECs) should work more closely with each other, have a clearer remit, and improve training for their members. These were the recommendations of a report published this week that was designed to streamline the procedures for ethical review of research proposals for studies to be done in the NHS.

Baby for ovary transplant twin (7.6.2005)
A US woman who became pregnant following an ovary tissue transplant from her twin sister has given birth to a baby girl. Stephanie Yarber, who went through the menopause in her teens, received part of an ovary from her identical twin sister Melanie in April 2004. Doctors removed tissue from...

No Human Clones This Century, Says Scientist
SEOUL - There will be no human clones this century because the work is dangerous, complicated and unethical, the South Korea scientist at the forefront of stem cell research and cloning technology said on Tuesday.

US president and Congress set to clash over stem cell research (4.6.2005)
The US House of Representatives passed a bill last week to increase funding for research on embryonic stem cells.

Exaggerated claims of cures threaten stem cell research (4.6.2005)
Exaggerated claims for stem cell therapy are threatening a promising field of research, leading doctors in the area said this week.