BIA welcomes UK Human stem cell law

The UK biotechnology sector's representative group has welcomed the decision by the House of Commons to pass the Human Fertilization and Embryology Bill, with minor amendments through the report stage and its third reading.

Aisling Burnand, the BioIndustry Association's chief executive, said: "the legislation was debated widely and at length throughout its passage through the House of Commons which has contributed to the development of a comprehensive piece of legislation." She added: "this Bill will help to enable the bioscience sector in the UK to continue to develop and grow. The research permitted by this Bill will be used to develop the techniques required for the production of stem cells, which could prove to be the source of treatments for diseases such as muscular dystrophy, Parkinson's and motor neurone disease."