UK authorities recommend human cloning for therapeutic research

Leading authorities in the United Kingdom have recommended that the government consider changing legislation to allow the cloning of human cells for therapeutic research but have reiterated their support for a ban on cloning for reproductive purposes in a report published this week.

The report from the Human Genetics Advisory Commission and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has suggested that cell nucleus replacement techniques--cloning techniques used to develop tissues--should be permitted. However, it has …