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Biotech / Medical : Biotech Valuation -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: jj_ who wrote (2648)	1/23/2001 8:42:16 AM
From: RMP	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 52153

Article posted in today's Newsday (Long Island, NY) on stem cell research: British Approve Limited Human Embryo Cloning Combined News Services London-Britain's House of Lords backed new government rules yesterday to allow limited cloning of human embryos, turning a deaf ear to religious leaders from across the spectrum who had urged them to oppose the measures. Peers in parliament's upper chamber voted 212-92 to allow research using stem cells to develop treatments for diseases such as leukemia, Parkinson's and cancer. Stem cells are the unprogramed master cells found in early stage embryos that can turn into nearly every cell type in the body. Debate raged for seven hours, but since the elected House of Commons passed the order by a 2-to-1 majority late last year, it will now become law. It will relax the rules under a 1990 act that limit research on donated embryos to such areas as infertility and the detection of birth defects. The embryos must be destroyed after 14 days. The creation of babies by cloning would remain outlawed. Prime Minister Tony Blair argues the move would allow Britain to stay at the forefront of the booming biotechnology industry. But right-to-life groups and religious leaders see it as the first step down a slippery slope to full human cloning. Independent peer Lord Alton released a letter from Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey and Britain's Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, urging parliament to set aside the laws. Alton said the government was railroading the order through parliament without proper scrutiny and proposed a motion that would freeze the legislation until a special committee had heard exhaustive evidence from experts. "There are many strong ethical and scientific arguments which may be deployed against cloning techniques, but we are also strongly at variance with international opinion," he said. The government promised to allow a committee of experts to scrutinize the ethics and science of the issue as long as the House of Lords voted the order through. The European Parliament has urged Britain to stop its plans.

To: jj_ who wrote (2648)	1/23/2001 2:55:20 PM
From: Biomaven	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 52153

<<stem cells> Here's an article on non-embryo-derived stem cells: the-scientist.com There's a (not very active) stem cell thread on SI: Subject 36679 Players in the US include GERN, STEM and BTRN (via its sub). NEXL plays in a somewhat related space. Right now my guess is people are waiting for the Bush axe to fall on stem cell research. Won't necessarily adversely affect all companies, but likely all will indiscriminately suffer in the market. Peter

To: jj_ who wrote (2648)	1/23/2001 10:19:29 PM
From: Scott H. Davis	Respond to of 52153

Luigi, release still has potentially troublesome wording <<EBDs reproduce readily and are easily maintained, Gearhart said, and thus eliminate the need to use fetal tissues each time as a source - a step that should quell many of the political and ethical concerns that swirl around stem cell studies.>> What do they mean by "each time." Lots of wiggle room potential & resulting debate. Scott

To: jj_ who wrote (2648)	1/23/2001 10:24:36 PM
From: Scott H. Davis	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 52153

Luigi, release still has potentially troublesome wording <<EBDs reproduce readily and are easily maintained, Gearhart said, and thus eliminate the need to use fetal tissues each time as a source - a step that should quell many of the political and ethical concerns that swirl around stem cell studies.>> Especially <<The researchers began their work with embryonic germ cells, a type of hPSC drawn from discarded fetal tissue.>> What's largest source for fetal tissue? Partial birth abortions. Pretty transparent spin doctoring. IMSCO Scott