Media releases

Academy of Science: Safeguard Australia's stem cell research future

10 March 2011

Changes to the laws governing human stem cell research could put Australian science on the
back foot internationally, the Australian Academy of Science cautioned today.

In a submission to the five-yearly review of the Prohibition of Human Cloning for Reproduction
Act 2002 and Research Involving Human Embryos Act 2002, the Academy argued that the
laws have served Australia well.

'The Acts prohibit human cloning and guarantee good quality ethical checks and balances
when it comes to the creation and use of embryonic stem cells,'said Professor Bob
Williamson, Secretary of Science Policy at the Australian Academy of Science.

'If these laws were changed, Australian research may be restricted and Australian scientists
could be forced to move overseas to continue their work.'

Current research into the use of stem cells to treat human disease relies on the ability to
produce and experiment on human embryonic stem cells, as well as other types of human
stem cells. Only embryonic stem cells have been shown to be able to grow into any type of
cell, including cell types that might be used to treat people with many different diseases and
injuries.

'Since the Acts were last amended, global clinical trials have started, testing embryonic stem
cells for spinal injuries and eye diseases,' Professor Williamson said.

'This research is beginning to bear fruit.'

Extensive stem cell studies are being conducted in Australia and elsewhere, but it is not yet
clear which type of stem cell will be most useful for each area of clinical practice.

'For this reason, it is vital that scientists continue to have access to embryonic, adult and other
types of stem cells,' said Professor Williamson, a molecular genetics specialist.

'The current legislation works well. Under current arrangement, research can continue, but
must first be stringently examined and approved by an independent ethics committee.'

The Academy has recommended two minor changes to the way the National Health and
Medical Research Council (NHMRC) administers the Acts: to allow for research into
mitochondrial disorders, and to allow easier access to previously created stem cell cultures for
new research.

The submission is available in full at www.science.org.au/reports/