Stem cell Bill split but debate continues

The stem cell debate is likely to reach new levels of intensity in the wake of the vote splitting legislation permitting embryonic stem cell research from a bill outlawing human cloning.

The House of Representatives voted 89 to 43 to separate the Research Involving Human Embryos Bill and Prohibition of Human Cloning Bill into its two components.

The ban on cloning bill was then passed by the lower house while debate on the legislation involving destructive use of embryonic stem cells by researchers has been adjourned until mid-September.

Both opponents and proponents of the now-separate stem cell bill believe the delay will work in favour of those attempting to derail such research.

Supporters of the legislation would appear to enjoy a commanding edge, based on the positions revealed by the 105 lower house MPs who spoke during the combined Bills' debate.

The tally ran about four to one in favour of stem cell research. However, the sudden controversy around the presentation of video 'evidence' by embryonic stem cell champion Prof Alan Trounson and the appearance of an open letter from a group of scientists arguing against destructive embryonic research on scientific as well as moral grounds suggests the outcome could still be in doubt.