Swiss Government urges support for stem-cell research

[John Cottingham <jcott@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Thursday 30.09.2004, CET 00:20 
 
The source of this article is swissinfo.org: 
  
Swiss Government urges support for stem-cell research
  
September 28, 2004 6:38 PM  


Two days after taking a pounding at the ballot box, the government has backed 
another controversial change to the law ? allowing research on stem cells from 
surplus human embryos.
 
The issue, which goes to a nationwide vote on November 28, is being opposed by 
anti-abortion groups and the Greens.

The new law, which has been approved by parliament, would allow fertilised eggs 
left over from in-vitro fertilisation to be used for research purposes, but 
only under strict conditions.

If approved at the ballot box, the legislation would also bring Switzerland 
into line with other European countries such as France, Denmark and Finland.

Launching the government?s campaign on Tuesday, Interior Minister Pascal 
Couchepin said stem-cell research offered hope for incurable illnesses such as 
Parkinson?s, paraplegia, diabetes and heart disease.
 
Mission to inform
 
Couchepin stressed the need to ensure that the public was properly informed 
about the medical, biological and ethical issues at stake.

In the wake of Sunday?s rejection of proposals to ease citizenship restrictions 
for young foreigners, the government has been criticised for failing to get its 
message across.

Couchepin added that the new legislation would not be a blank cheque for 
scientists, saying safeguards would be put in place to prevent abuse.

Human cloning would remain outlawed, as would the production of embryos for 
research purposes.

Written permission from parents would be needed to release leftover embryos, 
and only embryos up to seven days old could be used.
 
Embryos destroyed
 
Couchepin revealed that around 200 embryos created for artificial insemination 
were destroyed in Switzerland every year.

?It is ethically acceptable to take cells from these surplus embryos which are 
destined to die,? he said.

The interior minister rejected the arguments of opponents who claim adult stem 
cells are sufficient for research purposes.

He said stem cells from embryos could be reproduced almost ad infinitum in the 
laboratory and showed practically no signs of ageing.

?Nobody can guarantee the success of this research, but that is not a good 
enough reason to do without it,? he said.
 
Safeguards
 
Other safeguards contained in the legislation stipulate that scientists would 
have to show that using embryonic cells was the only option available to them.

They would also need authorisation from the Federal Health Office and the Swiss 
Ethics Commission.

Trade in embryos and stem cells would be banned, and any breaches of the law 
would carry sentences of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to 
SFr500,000 ($400,000).

The law is being challenged in a nationwide vote after anti-abortion groups 
collected 90,000 signatures ? almost double the number required to force a 
referendum.

swissinfo with agencies

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