Academy forms cell and developmental biology committee

The National Committee for Cellular and Developmental Biology has been formed after a review of the Australian Academy of Science’s (AAS’s) national committees for science deemed that biological sciences were under-represented.

Chaired by Professor Richard Harvey, who was involved in a panel discussion with cell and developmental biologists at this year’s ComBio meeting, the committee’s specific aim is to develop responses to national and international policy debate on issues involving cellular and developmental biology.

“The ASS elects scientists for their excellence in their field and has them working behind the scene to support Australian science,” Harvey said. “There is an enormous amount going on at a high level. The national committees sit in between academics and scientific societies; they respond to the needs of the academy on policy as well as the needs of societies.”

It’s early days, but the current focus of the committee is closing the loophole or ‘medical exemption’ that exists in the TGA regulations and allows unproven autologous therapies (treating people with their own cells) to be conducted outside of clinical trials. Harvey said the committee has developed and submitted a draft document to the government to change this regulation.

It seems this loophole will soon be closed with many groups calling for increased awareness and regulatory oversight of this issue.

“AAS plans to continue to review disciplines over the next 10 years in a bid to anticipate links that will be needed with government to engender change,” said Harvey.

AAS is also working towards linking with international societies and getting Australian scientists involved with international bodies, such as the International Council of Scientists for which organic chemist Professor David Black was recently re-elected as Secretary General.

It is all part of the AAS’s mandate to increase its profile of awareness and science generally, said Harvey