Fed: PM denies stem cell plan too restrictive

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Fed: PM denies stem cell plan too restrictive

Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD has denied his plan to allow research on surplus IVF embryosis too restrictive.

Mr HOWARD will face a concerted push from state and territory leaders this morningto drop restrictions on the use of embryos and allow therapeutic cloning.

The states have also vowed to push Mr HOWARD to back down from moves to seek consentfrom donors and to limit the research to existing embryos, saying it draws an artificialand illogical distinction.

But Mr HOWARD denies his plan's too restrictive.

He told radio 2GB that there's something in the order of 60,000 to 70,000 surplus embryosavailable.

He says that on scientific advice, this will place no restriction on research.

Mr HOWARD also says restricting research to existing embryos provides a safeguard toprevent the creation of embryos purely for research rather than reproductive purposes.

He says he's promised to review the plan after three years.

Mr HOWARD says the government recognises it could be difficult to get retrospectiveapproval from donors to use existing embryos for research.

But, he says it would be a violation of a person's rights if an embryo to which they'dcontributed was used for research, if it was against their conscience.

AAP RTV rft/aa/jas

KEYWORD: STEMCELL HOWARD (CANBERRA)