Mary Henry (Independent)

A couple of weeks ago, I represented the Joint Committee on Health and Children at a meeting on stem cell research and therapy in London and I would be grateful if the Leader would arrange a debate on this issue. I fully support Senator Lydon's comments. The media has concentrated on embryonic stem cell research but huge advances are being made in adult stem cell research and treatment, as well as in the use of foetal blood stem cells. These will be non-controversial areas in this country and we should try to put a great deal of effort into research there. We should also work on bringing forward legislation in Europe. An EU directive has been introduced asking all member states to bring in legislation in these areas and to contribute to the European debate on this matter. The issues involved relate particularly to quality control. One remembers we eventually had to have the Lindsay report, which examined quality control in blood transfusion, so we should try to get working on this as soon as possible.

It will be very difficult for us if treatments in embryonic cell research prove to be very effective against conditions like Parkinson's disease or spinal injuries, as our constituents will demand such treatments in this country. What will our reaction be then? We should look at this ahead of time before we have a fait accompli on our hands.