Japan last week approved the use of human embryos for stem cell research. The
government’s Council for Science and Technology Policy announced guidelines that
are likely to be adopted in the autumn. Researchers will only be allowed to use
cells from human eggs that were fertilised for reproduction but due to be
discarded. They must also obtain the consent of both the egg and the sperm
donors. Three major universities in Japan are planning stem cell research
projects and are waiting for the go-ahead.
To continue reading, today with our introductory offers
Advertisement
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features

91É«Ç鯬
I’m the first person whose life was saved by CRISPR base editing
News

Technology
US government wants to have a useful quantum computer by 2028
News

Life
Childbirth for many primate species is even harder than for humans
News

Humans
Humans sleep the least of all apes – is it the secret to our success?
Features
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles
1
Where, when and how to watch the 2026 solar eclipse
2
Humans sleep the least of all apes – is it the secret to our success?
3
US government wants to have a useful quantum computer by 2028
4
We’ve uncovered a master gene that switches on human development
5
Remote-controlled cockroach swarm can now breathe underwater
6
Our verdict on The Selfish Gene: An unpopular piece of popular science
7
I have a 100 per cent chance of getting cancer due to a rare gene
8
The race to understand how and when Thwaites glacier will collapse
9
Autism may have two distinct subtypes that vary by brain activity
10
How some people's brains make an extraordinary recovery from stroke