Islamic Code of Ethics Includes Therapeutic Cloning

SciDev.Net reports on the new Islamic code of medical ethics up for a vote:

Muslim states are being asked to allow the cloning of human embryos for research into possible medical treatments — so-called therapeutic cloning — while maintaining a ban on the reproductive cloning of human beings. Both provisions are included in the draft text of what is being proposed as the first international Islamic code of medical and health ethics, approved during the eighth conference of the Islamic Organization for Medical Sciences (IOMS), held in Cairo last month. The proposed code addresses the relationships between physicians, their patients, and wider society from the perspectives of both Islam and medical ethics. It takes into account Islamic views on new medical techniques such as in vitro fertilisation and gene therapy.

The Do Not Show Me State

The Scientist is reporting that Missouri has all but decided that it does not want to even entertain real arguments about stem cell research, and is very close to passing a law that will ban SCNT stem cell research entirely.

UN deadlock defeats cloning ban

After a number of delays and much maneuvering and politicking, a deadlocked United Nations has finally defeated a ban on therapeutic (research) cloning. The defeat is a blow to the Bush Administration, which has tried for years to get the international body to throw its weight behind a ban on the technology. While almost all nations support a ban on human reproductive cloning -- cloning procedures that result in a living child -- many nations support the use of cloning technology for medical research. In fact, much of the research goes on in the United States, and a three billion dollar bond issue in California promises to keep the US in the forefront of such research, unless our more conservative Congress passes a US ban.

Illinois is Coming for the Stem Cell Pot, Too

While the national press continues to speculate on what President Bush will do if anything with respect to modifying his 'ban' on Federal funds for embryonic stem cell research the reality is that the battle is for all intents and purposes over. The only issue remaining is which states will follow California and either permit or fund stem cell research. Illinois looks like it is very close to being the next state to work around the Federal ban. - Art Caplan

Indonesia Stem Cells

China Times reports that Indonesia will take a middle ground on hES research while continuing a ban.