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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.