FutureWire - futurism and emerging technology

Tuesday, February 08, 2005

License to Clone

The Roslin Institute, the Scottish research organization that cloned Dolly the sheep in 1996, has received a license to clone human embryos from the British government. The institute will not be cloning babies, but will used their techniques to study how nerve cells degenerate, and how nerve- and muscle wasting diseases could be treated or reversed. The embryos will be used for their stem cells, which can be used to create neurons for the treatment of nerve disorders.

Needless to say, this is a highly controversial development both inside and outside of Britain. If successful, though, the Roslin Institute's research would give Britain a leadership position in therapeutic cloning and genetic treatments.

Source: Yahoo (AP)