CLONING MICE REFLECTS NEW STAGE IN REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY

July 23 (LSN) A new method for cloning animals that is supposed to be more effective than the process used to make the infamous sheep, Dolly, has led to the development of 50 mice, according to news reports today. The research was done at the University of Hawaii and was written up in the science journal Nature.  The researchers claim it is “the first reproducible cloning of a mammal from adult cells” that extends at least three generations.  Such advances are always met with caution by pro-life forces for fear that such technology could be turned on humans. Recently The Globe and Mail reported: “Lee Silver, a …reproductive biologist at Princeton University, [said]  the implications of the work are clear … ‘Absolutely,’ he said, ‘we’re going to   have cloning of humans.’ ‘If we follow scientific protocol, it could take five to 10 years before in vitro fertilization clinics add human cloning to their repertoires.’ The protocol would require that the method first be perfected and shown to be safe in mice and then monkeys. ‘But that does not mean that somebody would not do it without those steps,’ Dr. Silver said.”  Bloc MP Pauline Picard has introduced a bill to ban cloning which passed second reading and is now before the House of Commons Health Committee for review. The government opposed the bill arguing that they are bringing forward a more comprehensive piece of legislation. Concerned Canadians, however, are wondering where it is. A substantial bill was introduced prior to the last election so the groundwork has already been done, yet the bill has not been reintroduced. Campaign Life Coalition plans to speak to the House Committe to recommend changes to strengthen the Picard measure. Reform MP Maurice Vellacott says that the penalties for violating the law needed to be stronger, including imprisonment.  Researchers are hailing the development in terms of its potential for disease research. “The scientific potential could be broad because mice are the best understood and most commonly used animals in biomedical experiments,” reported The Washington Post. “Having genetically identical copies of the same animal could speed research in fundamental biology and virtually every branch of medicine and drug development.”