Ministry to allow imports of stem cells

Stem cells from human embryos could be imported into New Zealand and used for research for the first time under strict guidelines proposed by the Ministry of Health.

The ministry yesterday released proposed guidelines on the use of imported embryonic stem-cell lines, raising hopes that new therapies could be developed in New Zealand to fight disease.

Under the ministry proposal, the embryos that supply the cells would have to be surplus to requirements from fertility programmes, any research would have to be authorised by ethics committees, detailed consent would have to be obtained from those whose reproduction created the embryo, and it would have to be proven there was no alternative to using human embryonic cells.

The public will be asked for its views on the guidelines, but already some people are slamming them. Lobby group Right to Life warns it is "another major step in disrespect for human life".

"There is no such thing as a spare human being," spokesman Ken Orr said.

The Catholic Church in New Zealand is against the process of taking stem cells because of the destruction of the embryo.

"All embryos have the same status. Life must be granted unconditional respect," said church bio-ethics spokesman John Kleinsman.

But Professor Richard Faull, of the Department of Anatomy and Radiology at Auckland University, said the ministry's proposals created a way forward for crucial research with embryonic stem cells.

"Theoretically they can grow and develop into any cell or tissue in the human body. Of course there are so many diseases where there is cell death," Prof Faull said.

"It is of the greatest importance that basic biological research is undertaken to understand the biology of stem cells before we can do any of this stuff. And I believe it is at least five or 10 years' research before stem cells will really be effective therapy."

New Zealand had to keep up with the rest of the world, Prof Faull said.

Professor Gareth Jones, of the department of Anatomy and Structural Biology at Otago University, said it was important to remember the stem cells were being taken from embryos with no prospect of becoming human beings.

"Once you have got surplus embryos within an IVF programme, at some point many will be discarded because they are no longer required for any purpose," he said.

People can view the proposed guidelines and make a submission at the Ministry of Health website.

Submissions on the guidelines close on March 3 next year. 

  
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Cell research

Human embryonic stem cells are cells taken from an embryo that forms four or five days after an egg is fertilised.

By growing these cells in a laboratory, stem cell "lines" can be developed. These lines cannot create a fetus or a human being.

The stem-cell lines are used in research to develop therapies to combat many degenerative illnesses, such as diabetes.

So far no research using embryonic stem cells has taken place in New Zealand, but it is done in many other countries.