 |
| About Bioline | All Journals | Testimonials | Membership | News |
|
||||||
|
||||||
Australasian Biotechnology, Vol. 12 No. 2, 2002, pp. 40-41 STEM CELL RESEARCH STEM CELL RESEARCH MUST CONTINUE: AN OVERVIEW Prepared by AusBiotech Ltd in conjunction with SDA Biotechnology, April 2002 Code Number: au02016 Australia has taken the first step toward a long-term commitment to maintain its pre-eminent international status in embryonic stem cell research and to contribute to the future of medical science. This critical research has recently received support from the Australian Federal Government. The Australian biotechnology industry strongly affirmed its support for continuing stem cell research in Australia during a consultative process undertaken by AusBiotech, which is Australia's peak biotechnology industry organisation. The industry's call was supported at the April 5 meeting of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG), at which the issue was discussed, opening the door for a unified, cooperative national approach that facilitates ongoing stem cell research within clear and enforceable guidelines. The Federal Government has designated biotechnology as a priority area for development, based on a clear recognition of Australia's established world reputation in this field and its future potential. The Government has introduced a number of major initiatives that underline its commitment to this policy principle. It has defined a national biotechnology strategy, set up a national lead body, Biotechnology Australia, to drive the strategy and advance the nation s biotech effort and provided substantial funding for biotech projects. Not least among its funding allocations is the AUD$11 million National Centre for Advanced Cell Engineering being developed at Monash University, and which was heralded at the announcement of the Government's funding support as a facility designed to secure Melbourne's position as an international leader in stem cell research. The Government has also aggregated the major public research organisations within the new Department of Education, Science and Training and assigned responsibility for them to the Minister for Science - a move aimed to provide clearer focus, impetus and leadership for Australian scientific innovation. The three eastern states of Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, along with South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory, have implemented biotech strategies and committed significant amounts of capital for research and commercialisation facilities and projects. Their actions demonstrate firm support for the national vision of Australia as one of the world's major biotechnology precincts. The support by the Federal Government in respect of the key area of stem cell research will significantly enhance the national scientific endeavour. Australia's Prime Minister undertook in February to consult scientists on the future of stem cell research prior to the April 5 COAG meeting. The key Australian stem cell research activities are underpinned by the three main Australian companies engaged in research in this field, Bresagen Ltd, ES Cell International Pte Ltd and Stem Cell Sciences Ltd. The trio holds rights to more than 10 of the world's very limited bank of stem cell lines, variously estimated to total no more than 20 to 60 developed cell lines. As such, the Australian companies are in a rare and elite position in global terms. Their advice, along with that of the leading world scientists such as Professor Alan Trounson, Director of the Centre for Early Human Development at the Monash Institute of Reproduction and Development was sought, and taken seriously. There are compelling arguments raised in support of stem cell research by the Australian industry. These positions include:
The result of the COAG Meeting is largely in line with the recommendations of the House of Representatives Legal and Constitutional Report on Cloning (known as the Andrews report) of September, 2001. The report resulted from an open public process that spanned more than two years, and drew on the views put forward in a very large number of public submissions. The recommendations of the Andrews report attracted significant industry support. The key points of the report provided for a ban on reproductive cloning, but allowed research using surplus human embryo stem cells from IVF programs and adult stem cells. Of particular importance was the need to derive new cell lines from a wider range of genetic backgrounds than those currently available in order to reflect the broader population and enable the development and approval of new drugs into the market. The nation's peak scientific bodies largely supported continuation of this research. The Australian Research Council, the Government's key advisory body on higher education research and distributor of Commonwealth research funding, made a rare intervention into public policy debate to announce a vigorous campaign to prevent the Government banning research into human embryo stem cells. Liberal approaches to stem cell research have also been recommended by the Australian Academy of Science and the Federation of Australian Scientific Technological Societies. The view of the industry and research sector was also borne out by public opinion. Research by Roy Morgan International in July, 2001, found 72% of Australians support stem cell research and 69% support the use of spare IVF embryos in scientific research. These findings have been confirmed by the results of a survey conducted late in 2001 by the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research. The United States currently stands virtually alone in refusing to fund research for other than the small number of stem cell lines already in existence. The negative response to the US position was evident at the February BIO CEO and Investors' Conference in New York, at which a third of the conference agenda was devoted to stem cells. Countries in Asia, notably Singapore, are supporting new stem cell research, and late in February Britain legislated to allow strictly licensed work to generate human embryonic stem cells and therapeutic cloning. Venture capital is shifting its focus towards those jurisdictions, such as the UK, that offer a stable, long-term policy and regulatory environment in which biotech companies can be certain of seeing their projects through. Last November, the European Parliament overwhelmingly rejected a move to ban human cloning. The European Union, in fact, has signalled a higher priority for stem cell research. Its Commissioner for Research, Philippe Busquin, said in a statement issued September 16, 2001: "Stem cell research is among the proposed research priorities under the next framework program for research 2003 to 2006. Stem cell-based therapies hold great potential for curing diseases and injuries. I believe we can gain a lot from a stronger exchange of information and coordination across Europe of stem cell research." Life science has as its foundation the advancement of human health and lifestyle enjoyment and Australia now has the ability to participate in this advancement though its commanding global position in stem cell research. Fortunately, through the foresight of the Australian political leaders, Australia is not locked out of any opportunities for collaborative research on a global scale, and out of the major international capital markets. The COAG decisions are a step in the right direction with additional discussion still required in the areas of 'therapeutic cloning' and appropriate regulatory regimes. Australia can now continue its long tradition of scientific leadership and world-class scientific discovery, and to strive towards the dream for Australia's future as a 'smart nation'. Copyright 2002 - AusBiotech |
| |||||||||
