Research with fetal tissue

Article Abstract:

This letter concerning the use of fetal tissue in research was written in response to another letter by Keith Crutcher, which was published in Nature, volume 343, page 10, in 1990. The moral decision on abortion depends on many factors including effects on the life of the mother, effects on the unwanted child resulting from possible abuse or inadequate support, and the legal and economic costs to society of aiding an individual that grows up under deprived conditions. It is argued that laws should reflect the common moral beliefs of a society. Because the moral decisions concerning abortion vary greatly among people, decisions on abortion should be left to the individual. This is why abortion is now legal. Since abortion is legal, fetal tissue is available. How the tissues are used should be left to the moral decision of the individual researcher. The United States Department of Health and Human Services has banned the funding of research with fetal tissues and human embryos. This is inconsistent with the lack of consensus on decisions concerning abortion and fetal research. The scientific community, in general, is in favor of research with fetal tissue. The lack of consensus favors the pro-choice view. Compromises could be made, such as the limitation of abortion only to early pregnancy, for example from 0 to 13 weeks gestation. It is concluded that the activities and efforts of those who are against abortion should be redirected towards preventing unwanted pregnancies. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Research, Abortion, Medical ethics, Fetal tissues, letter to the editor

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The future of research in medicine

Article Abstract:

Two recent white papers outline how the British government intends to make the National Health Service (NHS) more effective. The papers provide no evidence that the government understands the critical part played by medical research in the evolution of the NHS, nor that it appreciates the extraordinary role played by medical research charities and trusts. Total spending on medical research by the government is less than one percent of the cost of the NHS, while the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industries provided substantial funding for research. Private charities, often interested in a single disease, have provided extensive support for basic medical research and for those suffering from the disease. It is feared the government will expect private charities to carry even more of the financial burden, and that government proposals will reduce innovations in clinical research facilities and reduce the extent of clinical trials. The government's assertion that it wishes to maintain a healthy environment for clinical research is at variance with its stated aims of improving the NHS.

United Kingdom, Finance, Social policy, United Kingdom. Medical Research Council, Medicine, Experimental, column, Great Britain

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Need for public debate about fertility treatments

Article Abstract:

Legal, social and medical issues relating to human fertiity are examined in detail, with a call for wider public debate on these issues, with regulations, data collection, and funding.

Letter to the Editor, Fertilization in vitro, Human, Human fertilization in vitro

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