An advanced law to govern stem cell banks, and treatment and research centres is set to be debated by the Shura Council during its weekly session on Sunday.
The proposed legislation, which also includes developing medications and technologies, has been presented by five members led by woman and child committee chairwoman Dr Ibtisam Al Dallal.
It has received support from the National Health Regulatory Authority (NHRA), which asked Shura to also add special permissions for clinical trials using stem cells.
“The law should differentiate between stem cells and fusion with non-human DNA with the latter seen as cloning,” said the NHRA in a letter.
“Stem cells should be for treatment and in fields authorised internationally, while that allowed and disallowed for testing should be mentioned.”
The Supreme Islamic Council has said that stem cells treatment, or cloning should be governed through religious, ethical, social and health aspects that are clear and specific.
Shura’s services committee has recommended the go-ahead for the proposed legislation.
The GDN reported in February last year that new regulations to govern a stem cell bank, related research and practices in Bahrain are being drawn up.
Health Minister Faeqa Al Saleh said during a Shura session that the NHRA was working on a comprehensive blueprint that will be referred to the Supreme Council of Health for approval.
It came as Shura voted unanimously at the time against amendments to the 2017 In-Vitro Fertilisation Law that would allow medical cloning, saying it should come through a separate law.
MPs also voted against the same move in 2019, which meant the amendments, have been shelved.
“It is clear that the amendments shouldn’t be placed in this law, with cloning being a much bigger science and in future if any new law is drawn up then it has to look into religious and ethical practices,” said Ms Al Saleh last year.
“We should differentiate between reproductive cloning and cloning for certain illnesses like bone marrow for thalassaemia, which we send patients abroad for.
“No cloning has ever been done in Bahrain or any GCC country; the only thing we are clinically testing is bone marrow.”
Ms Al Saleh added that health authorities were working on new regulations to govern a stem cell bank, and once approved it would allow them to start implementing work on stem cells through precise criteria.
In other issues, fishermen could be allowed a maximum of three licences under amendments to the 2002 Fishing Organisation, Catching and Protection Law.
Jail term for misusing licences could be between a month and six months in jail, and a fine of between BD1,000 and BD5,000, or both.
For minor offences the punishment is up to a month in jail and fines of between BD300 and BD1,000.
Licences could be inherited by the family of a deceased fisherman on the condition that it is operated by a Bahraini.
The Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry has said there are 1,500 active licences.
The Shura Council will also vote on a royal decree to introduce the 2020 Small Vessels Registration, Safety and Monitoring Law.
It will also vote to reject for the second time amendments to the 2002 Budget Law that would oblige the Finance and National Economy Minister to present the national budget in August, instead of its constitutional deadline in October.
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