Mixed signals on stem cells creates concern

Australian stem cell researchers were confused by media reports today that the Federal government had banned human embryonic stem cell research.

Yesterday, Federal cabinet discussed banning the use of IVF human embryos for research.

Adelaide University's Prof Peter Rathjen, who studies mouse embryonic stem cells, said the reports came as "an enormous surprise", adding that he was unsure whether the ban was on all human embryonic stem cell research, or just on the use of surplus human embryos from IVF procedures for research purposes.

"It would be utterly extraordinary if all embryonic stem cell research was banned," he said. He said he believed that no stem cell researchers in Australia were actually deriving their human embryonic stem cells from surplus embryos at this point in time.

Rathjen suggested that the restrictions being put on human embryonic stem cell research in Australia might drive Australian biotech companies doing stem cell research overseas.

Dr Peter Mountford, CEO of Australian biotech company Stem Cell Sciences, said that he too was unsure of the government's position, but believed that the decision to ban research using surplus embryos had been deferred pending further investigation into the issue.

Mountford said that if the use of surplus embryos for research purposes were banned, then Australia would be at a disadvantage. US legislation only bans research funded by the government, whereas Australian restrictions would be against all research.

Differences between Federal legislation and that of the individual states was an added complication, he said. Currently Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia have banned the use of surplus embryos in research.

"The embryonic stem cell is the leading candidate for cell-based therapies," he said

Stem Cell Sciences has not used any human embryonic cells in its research to date, but is planning to do so later this year. Although it is most likely that the company will use existing cell lines, Mountford did not rule out the need to use human embryos.

Mountford also said the government moratorium on therapeutic cloning was a threat to Australia's stem cell research.

"Great opportunities will be missed if therapeutic cloning is not allowed to go ahead," he said. A US ban on therapeutic cloning has led to research moving offshore.

Stem Cell Sciences also has labs established in the UK, where stem cell research and therapeutic cloning are permitted under strict guidelines. The UK also allows, in certain circumstances, the formation of human embryos specifically for research purposes.

Mountford stressed that the Stem Cell Sciences labs were not established to take advantage of the UK's less restrictive laws.