Victorian science heads north

Victorian scientists at the forefront of world stem cell research are planning to move part of their operation to New South Wales because research on spare IVF embryos is banned in Victoria.

Alan Trounson, director of the Monash Institute of Reproduction and Development, said that his team wanted to harvest supplies of embryonic stem cells from surplus IVF embryos as soon as possible.

He had already had discussions with IVF clinics in Sydney and part of the Victorian team would "almost certainly" move to New South Wales, he said.

The Prime Minister is considering whether to push for a national ban on the use of spare IVF embryos for research at April's meeting with states and territories. But NSW Premier Bob Carr has vowed the research will go ahead in his state, in defiance of any ban, because of its potential to treat many conditions.

Regardless of the decision, Professor Trounson said it would take time to repeal Victoria's law and work could progress more quickly if part of the team moved north. "It would be silly if we did not site some of our primary research (in NSW) because we could get it under way, straight away," he said.