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Stem-Cell, DNA Technology Figure in Week’s Ethics News

Jan 14th, 2008 • Posted in: News

There’s another development in the quest for an ‘ethical’ stem cell; DNA collection causes concern in Britain and U.S. as rights of individuals are balanced against protection of society

VARIOUS DATELINES
Recent advances in cell sciences continue to create profound ethics issues. Among the top items of the week:

• An advance in the fast-moving science of human embryonic research has left observers wondering again if technological progress can erase some of the ethics problems connected to the technology. The Washington Post reports that the latest development in the search for an “ethical stem cell” is a technique that can cultivate a stem cell from an embryo without destroying it. But whether the method will qualify for federal funding, which cannot be given to researchers who harm embryos, remains an open question. A spokeswoman for the National Institutes of Health said that while the cells used in the research appear not to be damaged, it is impossible to know for sure if they are in some way harmed. A similar development announced recently, thought to provide “ethical” stem cells for research, has not yet cleared all hurdles in its development because it requires the use of viruses that contaminate the cells.
• In Britain, a group of experts is raising ethics questions about a controversial DNA database that holds lifelong records of anyone who has been arrested, even if they were cleared of a crime. The London Daily Mail reports that the Human Genetics Commission, a panel of experts appointed by the government, last week called for a public inquiry, which is expected to be critical of the database. The group also is thought to be skeptical about plans to expand the list of crimes for which DNA can be taken. Even the most minor offenses, such as littering, would allow the police to take a DNA swab if proposed legislation is enacted.
• Maryland governor Martin O’Malley announced last week that he will ask for legislation to expand DNA sampling for anyone arrested for violent crimes and burglaries, the Baltimore Sun reports. O’Malley argues that it is necessary to expand the current DNA sampling policy, which currently allows police to compel samples only from convicted felons or sex offenders convicted of any category of crime, in order to solve old cases and stop serial crimes. The Sun notes, though, that similar legislation has failed before, thwarted by opposition from civil libertarians and defense lawyers.

Sources: London Daily Mail, Jan. 11 — Baltimore Sun, Jan. 11 — Washington Post, Jan. 11.

For more information, see: Related Newsline story, Dec. 3, 2007 — Related Newsline story, Nov. 19, 2007 — Related Newsline story, Oct. 15, 2007 — Related Newsline story, Sep. 17, 2007.

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1. Ethics Newsline » News » DNA Tracking Proving Hugely Successful — and Controversial — in Britain on February 25th, 2008 at 9:38 pm:

   [...] more information, see: Related Newsline story, Jan. 14 — Related Newsline story, Oct. 29, 2007 — Related Newsline story, Oct. [...]

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