Spanish set to allow therapeutic cloning

MADRID, Sep 16 (Reuters) Spain is set to become one of only a handful of countries to approve therapeutic cloning, despite opposition from the Catholic Church.

The Socialist government said yesterday it had drawn up legislation to approve the technique, a move likely to provoke sharp criticism from the conservative opposition which is closely allied to the Church.

''(Once passed) this will mean it is now possible for our researchers to use nuclear transfer techniques. Spain now joins a group of countries where this kind of research is possible,which inside the European Union includes Britain, Sweden and Belgium,'' Health Minister Elena Salgado told a news conference.

The legislation, likely to be approved by the Socialists' working parliamentary majority, will further strain relations between the government and the Church, following moves such as the approval of gay marriage last year.

Spain would become only the second predominantly Catholic country after Belgium to allow therapeutic cloning.

Therapeutic cloning involves creating embryos as a source of stem cells to cure diseases, and its defenders say it could provide a cure for conditions such as diabetes and Alzheimer's.

The process is controversial because the embryos are later discarded, angering pro-life groups.

REUTERS SSC ND0904