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Cloned Cat is Cute but Ethically Unacceptable
Like all kittens, the cloned cat Cc is very cute, but as the only live birth from 87 embryos, this was a cloning experiment which should not have been attempted. Nuclear transfer cloning poses some serious animal welfare concerns and is only justified ethically in cases of substantial human or animal benefit. Just because a millionaire is prepared to fund such research, does not justify doing it.
Mouse Clones Die Young
The discovery by researchers in Japan that cloned mice die unusually young represents a further substantial nail in the coffin of any prospects for human reproductive cloning. Ten out of twelve cloned mice died early in the first study of the life span of cloned animals, with problems of the immune system, liver failure and pneumonia. This underlines the folly of those seeking publicity and funding for their claims to promise cloned babies for infertile couples.
Parthenogenetic Primate Stem Cells don’t Solve Ethical Problems of Embryos
The isolation by Advanced Cell Technologies of primate stem cells derived from parthenogenetic embryos represents a significant technical development. But the fact that such embryos are not viable does not solve the ethical problems for those who would object to using human embryos for stem cells. This poses once again just what do we mean by an embryo? It also raises some serious issues about the regulation of primate research.
Dolly’s Arthritis - Don’t Jump to Conclusions too Fast
Dolly the cloned sheep has arthritis, but don’t jump to hasty conclusions to condemn animal cloning. This may be a signficant indicator about cloning but a single case proves nothing scientifically at this stage. SRT repeats the call it first made in 1997 for a full scientific study into the animal welfare aspects of cloning. The use of animal cloning for medical purposes is only ethical if the animal welfare is acceptable.
Cautious Welcome for "Knockout" Pigs but Ethical Doubts Remain
The ethical issues raised by the production of cloned genetically modified piglets by the US subsidiary of Scotland's PPL Therapeutics plc with a gene "knocked out" which would otherwise cause rejection by the human body. Should we delete genetic functions from animals? Do the realistic prospects and risks of xenotransplanation justify such research?
Cautious Welcome for Transgenic Cloned Pigs but Xenotransplantation raises Ethical Doubts
The production of transgenic cloned pigs by PPL could mark a further step towards the use of pig organs for human transplantation, but it also raises many ethical issues.
Kirk calls for Urgent Cloning Legislation
Following the judicial review which indientifed a loophole in UK law, the Church of Scotland calls on the Government to bring forward urgently the legislation which it promised in August 2000 to remove once and for all any ambiguity over reproductive human cloning.
Cloned Babies - the Height of Irresponsibility
The claim by an Italian scientist that he will clone a baby within two years is highly irresponsible, and goes against established legal, ethical and medical practice. This brings science into disrepute.
See our page on Cloning
SRT views on Cloning quoted on BBC On-Line Website
Stem Cells and Embryonic Cloning
A discussion paper of the Conference of European Churches working group on Bioethics
Stem Cells and Cloning - Medical Potential and Ethical Dilemmas
A paper presented by SRT Director Dr Donald Bruce at the European Commission's major Conference "Stem Cells: Therapies for the Future?", 18-19 December 2001, Brussels.
Embryonic and Adult Stem Cells: Ethical Dilemmas
An updated SRT information sheet on stem cells, the status of the embryo, the prospects or otherwise for adult stem cells, therapeutic uses of cloning, and the legislative challenges.
Human Stem Cell Patents would be Unethical
A discussion paper on the patenting of stem cells, prepared by SRT on behalf of the Conference of European Churches working group on bioethics, for a Round Table on the patenting of human stem cells organised by the European Commission ethical advisory group on science and technology, 20 November 2001.
Don’t jump to hasty conclusions over Cloned Embryos and Parthenogenesis
Claims to have made the first cloned human embryos look a little premature. Using parthenogenesis to create human embryonic stem cells may not solve the ethical problems. And why the UK needs to sign up to the Council of Europe's Bioethics Convention.
Welcome for Cattle Stem Cells
The Church of Scotland welcomes the announcement from PPL Therapeutics that cattle skin cells have been reprogrammed to produce stem cells and heart muscle cells without using an intermediate embryo. This could mark an important step towards cell replacment therapy.
SRT views on Cattle Stem Cells quoted on BBC On-Line Website
The Kirk Questions Donaldson Report : "Embryos Should not Become Resources"
See also our Background discussion of ethical issues in the Donaldson Report
Stem Cells : Are Adult or Placental Cells a Viable Alternative to using Embryos?
Clearing up some of the confusion
BBC Radio 4 Today Programme
SRT Director's interview on Parthenogenetic Stem Cells
This page was last revised on 8 April 2002.
