If the stem cells were originally cloned from one of the patient's own cells the tissue they went on to form would be a perfect match with the other tissues of the body, and there would be no problems of rejection when the new tissue was re-planted into the host. We might see this happen in America within two or three years. She said that if successful, the technique could be extended to other patients suffering from rare disorders where currently bone marrow transplants offer the only hope of a cure. In December a green light was given to British scientists wanting to pursue this kind of research. Experts from two high-powered committees advised the Government to change the law to allow such cloning experiments to go ahead.
Ministers have yet to give their decision.
The Wellcome Trust Leukaemia Research Fund Ethical implications of cloning The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.