Catholics pledge $50K to adult stem cell research

Sydney's Catholic Archbishop, Dr George Pell, has promised to contribute $50,000 toward adult stem cell research, on condition that the NSW and Federal governments commit "significant money" to the research.

"Just whose interests are served by the current under-reporting of genuine alternatives to embryonic stem cell research?" Pell said in a statement released yesterday.

He cited the recent treatment of the severely immunocompromised Welsh baby with his own stem cells as "yet another example of potential of so-called 'adult' stem cells."

Assoc Prof Martin Pera, of Monash Institute of Reproduction and Development, welcomed the Archbishop's gesture of support.

"We feel that adult stem cell research is very important," he said, explaining that the Monash Institute was developing an initiative to bring together embryonic and adult stem cell researchers from around Australia.

"The two approaches are synergistic and complementary," he added.

However, Prof Pera noted that the number of Australian scientists researching adult stem cells was far greater than the handful working with embryonic stem cells.

"There is far more investment in adult stem cell research," he said. Australia had a long history in adult stem cell research, particularly in areas like bone marrow research.