Experts may clone dead people's tissue

LONDON, June 1 (UPI) -- British government officials say they are considering legal action to allow scientists to use dead donors' tissue in stem cell cloning research.

Health ministers have requested that experts be permitted to use human tissue to clone embryonic stem cells regardless of whether they have the donor's specific permission, The Times of London reported Sunday.

It is reported tissue stored for as long as three decades could be used in the stem cell research if legal approval is given. Experts would be allowed to use tissue from donors who cannot be reached because they have died or otherwise can't be contacted, the Times said.

Officials said the amendment to the Human Fertilization and Embryology Bill has been tabled and is set to be discussed in coming days, the newspaper said.