by Joshua Mandell

A decade of scientific discovery and intense public policy debate in the United Kingdom culminated last summer in a historic decision for those who study regenerative medicine. In August 2004, the government gave researchers at the Newcastle University Centre for Life a green light to begin cloning human stem cells for therapeutic use. At stake are potential treatments for a host of diseases, from Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s to diabetes and heart disease – all of which depend on the ability to create versatile stem cells from unfertilized human eggs.

by Dora Fitzli

In a referendum held on November 28, 2004, a large majority (66%) of Swiss voters ratified the federal Stem Cell Research Act which became law on March 1, 2005. Consequently, the production of and research with human embryonic stem cells is now federally regulated.