We won't use ES cells: med institute

A children's research institute with a strong focus on gene therapy and stem cell work has declared it does not support human embryonic stem cell research.

The Children's Medical Research Institute (CMRI) at Westmead Hospital in Sydney has confirmed that it will not pursue the controversial human ES cell work while debate still rages over the ethics of such studies.

CMRI director Prof Peter Rowe said the institute would continue its research into mouse stem cells and haematopoietic reconstruction, saying this was enough to enable scientists to learn about the development of such cells.

"My view about it is that I don't think we should be doing this sort of research," Rowe said. "But if people want to accept it, that's alright too."

His comments come as new laws governing cloning and ES cell research are prepared for introduction to Federal parliament this week, with ministers expected to be briefed on details of the bill today.

It also follows renewed debate among opponents of human ES cell work over the necessity of such research after a study in the United States published last week in Nature indicated that adult stem cells could prove as flexible as ES cells.

The news has prompted prominent Federal ministers - including Nick Minchin, Tony Abbott and John Anderson - to call for the deal between Prime Minister John Howard and the states allowing research on embryos left over from IVF to be dumped and the focus shifted to adult stem cells.

Howard, for his part, has supported the stance of the head of the new Centre for Stem Cells and Tissue Repair, Prof. Alan Trounson, by agreeing that research should progress on both sides of the science.

Adding weight to the debate has been paralysed actor Christopher Reeve, who has written an open letter to Howard asking for his support.

"Your support for human embryonic stem cell research will give many millions of people all over the world hope for a better life," he wrote in the letter sent via lobby group Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research in Australia.

"Australia's stem cell scientists are recognised around the globe. Your decision to support their research will ensure Australia continues to be a world leader in this exciting field."

Reeve, who is to speak via video hook-up at September's Stem Cells 2002 conference in Melbourne, told Howard that he looked forward to the day when he might walk with his family along Australia's beaches.

But in a recent institute newsletter, Rowe said the ethical issues surrounding the field were "major ones" and said the CMRI would continue to confine its work to mouse embryonic stem cells.

"Nevertheless, we live in a pluralistic, humanistic society and some stringent rules have to be applied to restrict the activities of individuals, often with doubtful scientific credentials, who will be seeking to gain commercial benefit from their work while claiming to pursue altruistic goals," he said.

"A great deal of research is ahead of us before we can realistically approach the possible replacement of human tissues, particularly those damaged by ongoing disease processes such as diabetes, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease."