April 26, 2024

Japan approves human cloning for research

The Japanese Government’s top science council has approved limited cloning of human embryos for scientific research. The clones cannot be used for treating human patients. A cabinet council on science and technology policy headed by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will now ask ministries to propose specific guidelines. AP, Jul 24

  

South African doctors charged in organ trade

A senior South African nephrologist, Dr Jeff Kallmeyer, is on trial in Durban for participating in an organ trafficking scheme. Police say that hundreds of transplants took place in two hospitals owned by the Netcare group, with most of them done at St Augustine’s hospital in Durban. Several other surgeons and medical staff have been arrested and are awaiting trial. Netcare, which provides services on contract to the British National Health Service, has consistently denied any wrong-doing.