STEM CELLS FROM HUMAN EMBRYOS (Research)

Mr Simon S C Tay asked the Minister for Health whether research on stem cells from human embryos has proceeded in Singapore and, if so, whether there has been due consideration of the moral and religious dimensions.

The Minister for Health (Mr Lim Hng Kiang): Mr Speaker, in Singapore, the practice of human embryology and in-vitro fertilization (IVF) is regulated under the "Guidelines on Human Embryology and the Practice of Reproductive Technologies in Singapore" issued by the Ministry of Health.

All current embryonic stem cell research has been done in accordance with these guidelines and with internationally accepted guidelines. Ethical approval is required from the respective institutional ethics committees operating within the broad Ethical Policies and Guidelines set out by the Ministry of Health with the advice of the National Medical Ethics Committee.

Researchers at the National University of Singapore, in collaboration with researchers in Australia and Israel, were able to develop 6 stem-cell lines which were derived from excess frozen embryos donated to medical research by couples who underwent IVF treatment. These excess embryos were donated voluntarily with the patients' signed informed consent.

We are in the process of reviewing our embryonic stem cell research regulations. In November last year, the Bioethics Advisory Committee (BAC) was appointed by the Government to address the ethical, legal and social issues arising from research on human biology and behaviour and its applications. The BAC has been actively addressing and deliberating on the issue of human embryonic stem cell research. Among other things, it has received a report from an Inter-Ministry Committee set up to explore the ethical issues involved in cloning and stem cell research. The BAC also regularly consults with an International Panel of Experts.

The BAC will finalise its views after consultations with the community, including the general public and interest groups, through dialogue sessions and forums as well as further international consultation. The BAC will submit its recommendations to the Life Sciences Ministerial Committee by the end of the year. Column 2074;