UK's Blair Backs Biotech Industry on Stem Cells

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UK's Blair Backs Biotech Industry on Stem Cells

Reuters

Nov 17 2000 11:26AM

LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister Tony Blair waded into the ethical

minefield of stem cell research on Friday, backing the technology and vowing

he would push for Britain to keep its position as Europe's leader in

biotechnology.

Addressing an industry conference in London, Blair said that while some

people had ethical objections, there were massive potential benefits of

research into stem cells -- master cells that can generate most of the 200

cell types in the human body.

" We must recognize that stem cell research has huge potential to improve the

lives of those suffering from disease, " Blair said.

" There are...strong ethical arguments in favor as long as clear and

effective regulation remains in place. "

Blair's support for the science -- which involves cloning and research on

human embryos -- is sure to draw an angry response from pro-life groups and

fuel an ethical debate over how far scientists should interfere with nature.

But his stance won applause from biotechnology companies which view the

issue as a litmus test of the government's commitment to the industry.

" He made his support unequivocal. He came out very clearly saying 'You must

support the science and afterwards we can bring in the controls', " Crispin

Kirkman, chief executive of the Bioindustry Association, told Reuters.

" That's something we've been arguing for as an industry for some time. "

The issue is topical, with members of parliament debating stem cell research

and Europe's first stem cell company -- ReNeuron (REN.L) -- having listed on

London's Alternative Investment Market on Thursday.

BETTER MEDICINES

The British prime minister said biotechnology could deliver better, more

effective medicines and improve food production and clean up the

environment.

He said the government would invest more in scientific research -- with

detailed allocations for the science budget due next week -- and promised to

fight for the biotech industry, provided executives engaged in a public

debate on the ethics of their innovations.

" Biotechnology is the next wave of the knowledge economy and I want Britain

to become its European hub...We don't intend to let our leadership fall

behind and are prepared to back that commitment with investment, " he added.

Therapeutic cloning and the use of stem cells is a potentially revolutionary

new way to treat serious illness.

British experts argue scientists should be able to use early human embryos

in research to develop new treatments for a host of diseases, ranging from

Parkinson's and diabetes to arthritis and strokes.

The chief medical officer, Liam son, has recommended the law be

extended so human embryos can be cloned and used to derive stem cells. At

present, scientists can only use early human embryos to study specific

problems such as infertility, congenital diseases, contraception and

prenatal diagnosis.

Blair has promised MPs a " free vote " -- or vote of conscience -- on whether

scientists should be allowed to clone human embryo cells for this broader

spectrum of research.

Many remain opposed, including Conservative MP Philip Hammond.

" I do not believe that a case has been made with a standard of proof which

is adequate to overcome the moral concerns and very real fears that I have

about where this road will lead us, " he told parliament.

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