June 27, 2007

CAMRA, the peak patient advocacy group, has welcomed the outcome of last night’s stem cell conscience vote in the NSW Legislative Council which voted an overwhelming 27:13 in its favour.

“It is a relief to see that the majority of NSW MPs understood the importance of the potential benefits of stem cell research. For hundreds of thousands of people in NSW affected by diseases and conditions, this is an important day and now means our scientists can compete at a truly global level.

“We wish to thank all the members of the Legislative Council who voted for SCNT* stem cell research and especially the efforts in the Legislative Assembly of Verity Firth, Minister of Research. Her support and willingness to listen to the community on this incredibly important issue has been deeply appreciated by us all,” Joanna Knott, CAMRA convenor said.

‘’We would also like to remind other state governments that are yet to vote on this issue that it is “mirror legislation” to the intensely debated Commonwealth legislation of December 2006. If it fails in any one state, it will totally destroy the national consensus and encourage “scientific tourism” comparable to reproductive tourism that occurred widely a few years ago.”

Victoria followed the Commonwealth lead and was the first state to endorse the legislation in March 2007. South Australia is expected to consider the legislation next.

*Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT)