The government of Norway has proposed new legislation that would allow embryonic stem cell research [JURIST news archive] to potentially find cures for various diseases.

Norwegian Minister of Health and Care Services Silvia Brustad [official website, English version] said late last week that the government hoped researchers could use the stem cells to find potential cures for AIDS, cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.

The proposed legislation would require consent from parents before stem cells are used for research and also requires a national ethics panel to approve the research before it commences. The legislation would also prohibit the fertilization of eggs specifically for research; only extra embryos of poor quality produced through in vitro fertilization [Wikipedia backgrounder] or extras that have been stored for over five years may be used.

Last year Australia lifted its restrictions on stem cell research [JURIST report] and also approved the therapeutic cloning of human embryos.

In the United States, the House of Representatives passed a bill earlier this month which would amend the Public Health Service Act to allow for additional embryonic stem cell research [JURIST report].

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