The HandsOff Newsletter features articles concerning policies, controversies, and ethics relevant to egg harvesting for cloning research; this may include articles reporting medical information learned from the IVF industry. Similarly, articles concerning global egg trafficking in the IVF industry are relevant and may be included since the increased demand for eggs for research will likely build on these already ongoing global arrangements. Additionally, as a service, the Newsletter may include articles concerning biotech patenting, animal-human hybrid creation (chimerism), stem cell research and reproductive cloning in so far as they may be relevant to considerations of research cloning.

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NEWS:

HandsOff Comment: This month's newsletter includes articles concerning reports of successfully generating donor specific embryonic stem cell (ESC) lineages in mice -- without use of eggs. Certainly, this research is a step in the right direction. The Boston Globe's report that eggless ESC research was pursed because women haven't been "donating" their eggs is something for which HandsOff signatories and supporters deserve some credit. But as biotech bioethicist Arthur Caplan's exhortation for continuing financial support of cloning research makes clear, women are not yet safe from demands for their eggs. The recent announcement that disgraced cloning researcher Hwang Woo Suk is resuming his research agenda also speaks to how the cloning bandwagon seeks to roll on full speed ahead. TOP

Reluctance of egg donors stymies Harvard efforts: By Peter Dizikes, Globe Correspondent, June 7, 2007 A year after Harvard University scientists began trying to create cloned human embryonic stem cells, they have been stymied by their failure to persuade a single woman to donate her eggs for the groundbreaking but controversial research.

For full story visit: boston.com TOP

Simple switch turns cells embryonic: by David Cyranoski, Nature 447, 618-619 (7 June 2007) | doi:10.1038/447618a; Published online 6 June 2007 Technique removes need for eggs or embryos.

For full story visit: Nature.com TOP

Biologists Make Skin Cells Work Like Stem Cells: In a surprising advance that could sidestep the ethical debates surrounding stem cell biology, researchers have come much closer to a major goal of regenerative medicine, the conversion of a patient's cells into specialized tissues that might replace those lost to disease.

For full story visit: nytimes.com TOP

Does stem cell advance provide ethical out? Doctors, funders shouldn't put all their embryos in one basket: By Arthur Caplan, Ph.D., MSNBC contributor, Updated: 10:24 a.m. PT June 6, 2007 Just as Congress is about to vote on a bill that would require federal funding for embryonic stem cell research something has me tempted to join the ranks of those loony tunes who see conspiracies lurking around every corner. The bill, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007, passed the Senate by a big margin in April. But just as the House prepares to vote later this week, news breaks that scientists have made progress in finding alternative ways to generate cells from other types of cells that can mimic the special powers of embryonic stem cells.

For full story visit: msnbc.com TOP

Hwang Woo-suk to Resume Cell Cloning Abroad: By Cho Jin-seo, Staff Reporter, Korea Times, Disgraced cloning scientist Hwang Woo-suk is seeking partnership with foreign biotech companies to continue his human stem cell research outside Korea, multiple sources said on Sunday.

Hwang is staying in Thailand at the invitation of local institutions and is considering forming a research consortium with foreign biomedical companies, a government official was quoted as saying by Yonhap News Agency on the condition of anonymity. The Joongang Ilbo newspaper also reported that Hwang left Korea on Friday and is talking with a prominent U.S. biomedical company while he is abroad, citing an aide to the former Seoul National University veterinary professor.

"Hwang believes that it is difficult to continue stem cell research in South Korea because it is hard to obtain ova," the government official said. "He is considering participating in an international consortium so he can continue his research abroad where conditions are more favorable to cloning researchers than here."

If he joins such an international consortium, he will be shuttling between his laboratory in South Korea and an overseas facility, the media reports said.

Hwang was considered one of the pioneering experts in the human and animal cloning field until much of the data shown in his internationally published papers were found to be fabricated, in 2005. The university expelled him and the government rescinded its financial and legal support. While being charged with fraud and embezzlement, he has kept a low profile at the Suam Bioengineering Research Institute in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, where he is officially engaged in animal cloning.

The government barred Hwang from conducting human cloning research. But his supporters - many of them being patients suffering from chronic diseases and their families - have insisted that the former Seoul University professor unwittingly committed technical mistakes and that the government should give him another chance.

"Last time there were some problems in the nurturing process of the cells at Mizmedi Hospital. But there is no doubt that he will succeed in cloning the stem cell this time, since his team will have the world's best technicians to do the job," a source was quoted as saying by Joongang.

It also said that Hwang will clone embryonic cells by transferring cell nuclei, and U.S. researchers will then develop them to fully-grown stem cells. Stem cells have the potential to transform into various types of human body cells, meaning they can be utilized as a "repair kit'' for diseases.

The joint research of Hwang and the U.S. firm will mostly be conducted in a country other than South Korea or the United States since it is difficult to obtain ova in both countries, the paper said.

email: indizio@koreatimes.co.kr, TOP