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There are a number of ethical issues associated with the
pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. Our position on
four topical issues is outlined below.
Animal testing
We recognise that animal testing is an emotive issue. It is also
an essential part of the healthcare sector that ensures the safety,
quality and efficacy of medical products including some of Amersham
Health’s, and helps to develop new treatments and technologies.
Animal testing is required by law throughout the world before a
medicine can be licensed.
We aim to use alternatives to animal testing wherever possible.
Where there are no other options we adhere to the highest standards
of husbandry and ethical treatment and carry out audits to ensure
our standards are met.
Amersham Biosciences has developed and supplies a number of technologies
that are able to reduce the need for animal tests by our customers
in certain areas of the drug discovery process. These include our
high throughput screening systems which IN Cell Analyzer technology
which enables in vitro testing of cultured cells.These technologies
together with genetic analysis can eliminate many unsuitable drug
compounds at an early stage without testing on animals.
GE Healthcare Position Statement
on Care and Ethical use of Animals in Medical Research
Stem cell research
Stem cells provide the basis for human life and their use in medical
science could dramatically change the way we treat and diagnose
diseases. However the use of foetal stem cells in research has become
entangled in the abortion debate. Some people believe it destroys
human life because harvesting foetal stem cells destroys the embryo.
We support stem cell research for beneficial medical purposes,
subject to strict legislative controls that must take into account
both the medical and scientific benefits of such work and the broader
moral and ethical concerns of society.
We have not used any foetal stem cells but are working on developing
the potential medical use of adult tissue stem cells donated from
anonymous volunteers.
Genetic engineering
Genetic engineering is the technique used for changing the genetic
structure of living organisms, including plants and animals.
Amersham Biosciences conducts research with and supplies products
for research and the production of biopharmaceuticals that involves
genetically modified micro-organisms. All genetic modification work
carried out by Amersham is conducted in containment and is assessed
under the appropriate national legislation. The company is not involved
in any deliberate releases of GM organisms to the environment. Our
work is of low or very low risk, as assessed under UK regulations,
and the facilities used provide a higher level of containment than
is required.
Our innovative technologies and research platforms are used by
our customers in a wide range of applications in human, plant and
animal genetics. For example our products are used to sequence human
genes, identify proteins, and help determine the genetic basis of
disease.They are also used in non-medical applications, for example
to sequence the DNA or genes of crops such as rice and palm oil
in the search for improved yields. Our technology is also being
used to map the genetic make up of endangered plants and animals,
and by biologists researching the origins and development of primitive
life-forms.
Use of genetic information
While genetic research offers great opportunities to benefit society,
it also raises many questions that society will need to debate and
answer. We believe that national governments and international agreements
must clearly establish the limits within which scientists and researchers
can work and the use to which genetic information about individuals
and populations is used.
We are dedicated to catalysing and encouraging dialogue on these
issues. In 2001 we sponsored a series of public debates in the UK
and Norway called Genes, Medicine and Society which focused on the
use of medical knowledge made possible through our work. The series
examined not only all medical aspects of the technology but the
moral, ethical and religious dilemmas concerning disclosure of information,
insurance and patenting.
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