News,

Researchers report that bone marrow cells can be used to grow tissue for lungs, intestines, skin and maybe other body parts. Scientists from Yale and New York universities implanted a marrow stem cell in mouse and found that new cells developed throughout the animal's body. Bone marrow was previously thought only to produce blood. [CNN, 4 May ] Inquests are taking place on the cause of deaths of two women and two girls in a Newcastle upon Tyne, England, hospital in the mid 1990s. All patients were in the care of sister Kathleen Atkinson who denies wrongdoing. It is alleged that excessive doses of morphine were given and that medication was withdrawn. The inquests continue. [BBC ] An official of the American bishops' conference has told the US congress that the sanctity of human life is a cornerstone of the church's teaching. Testifying in support of a proposed law to ban human cloning, Mr Richard Doerflinger said that a society could be judged by the respect it showed to life at its most vulnerable. He pointed out that more that 95% or cloned animals died prematurely. [EWTN ] Canada may soon establish a legal framework for human reproductive technology. The health minister is expected to publish a draft bill which would ban sex-selection and crossing humans with animals. It is unclear whether the law would ban cloning to produce spare tissue or organs. A federal health authority paper has advocated such procedures. [EWTN ] Australian Catholic bishops are seeking a high court ban on in vitro fertilisation for homosexual and single women. The Women's Electoral Lobby will oppose the bishops' attempt to overturn a federal court decision. [EWTN ] LifeSite representatives at a UN meeting report that Canadian, European and Latin American delegations are "pushing for anti-life and anti-family additions to the [final] document." The committee is preparing for a special general assembly session on children in late September.