OTTAWA — Canada should allow the use of human embryos for stem cell research but human cloning should remain off limits, says a draft report by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
The discussion paper, prepared by a 10-member panel and released Thursday, says stem cell research holds “enormous promise,” but study is needed to determine whether adult or embryonic stem cells offer better prospects.
It adds that cloning or creating human embryos for stem cell research should not be allowed.
“We’re recommending a continued moratorium on human cloning, including cloning solely for the purposes of deriving stem cell lines,” said the group’s chair, Dr. Janet Rossant, a Toronto geneticist and microbiologist.
Stem cells are immature cells that have the ability to develop into human tissues or organs and to renew themselves. Embryonic stem cells are the most flexible — and controversial — because they can develop into any type of cell.
Stem cells provide hope for organ replacement and cures for degenerative diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis and heart disease.
Embryonic cells would primarily be obtained from embryos created by in-vitro fertilization for fertility treatments but no longer needed. The document recommends no use of embryos older than 14 days.
