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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 4 Hansard (10 April) . . Page.. 925 ..

MR STANHOPE (continuing):

There are approximately 60 existing stem cell lines originating from human embryos. Of these, up to 25 are perhaps suitable for the research we are discussing. Six to eight lines are imported into Australia, which comply with internationally recognised criteria.

To go to the heart of the debate that we have had around the utilisation of embryonic stem cells, and issues touched on by Mrs Cross, it is necessary to have regard for some of the possibilities-at this stage these are only possibilities-of research in relation to stem cells.

There is a view within the scientific community, among those who are concerned with research into a range of human diseases, that there are very significant potential benefits to be achieved from the utilisation of that research, and indeed from the use of stem cells.

It is thought by some people that stem cells have the potential to cure or alleviate suffering caused by injury, disease or trauma, to a wide range of tissues or organs of the body. One of the notable, and most frequently quoted, conditions is Alzheimer's disease, which is a degenerative disease of the nervous system. All members would be aware of the devastation of that disease.

As our life expectancies increase, so do our chances of being afflicted with age-related diseases such as this. There is a whole range of other diseases or conditions in relation to which it is felt that there is potentially significant benefit from research utilising stem cells-both adult and embryonic. Frequently referred to is the possibility of a cure, through the application of stem cell research, for juvenile onset diabetes, which is caused by the destruction of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The treatment currently available is insulin injections after every meal-up to four times a day-and strict diet control. Sufferers have shortened life expectancies. I understand that, in Australia today, there are approximately 40,000 children with juvenile onset diabetes. So we understand the significant potential of some of that research.

Other conditions that can potentially be treated include spinal cord injury, Parkinson's disease, recovery from stroke, heart failure, cancer, and possibly cystic fibrosis. Some believe that this fundamental research has the potential to be applied to the growth of disease-free whole organs such as hearts and livers. Future uses of human stem cell lines might include the exploration of the effects of chromosomal abnormalities in early development. This might include the ability to monitor the development of early childhood tumours, many of which are embryonic in origin.

In conclusion, Mr Speaker, two important points about embryonic and adult stem cells have emerged. The cells are different, and present immense research opportunities for potential therapy. As research goes forward, scientists will, undoubtedly, find other similarities and differences between adult and embryonic stem cells. Of course, it is early days yet. We are really just at the cusp. This research is experimental. It is early days, and we do not know.

During the next few years, it will be important to compare embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells in relation to their ability to proliferate, differentiate, survive and function after transplant-and avoid immune rejection. Investigators have shown that differentiated cells generated from both adult and embryonic stem cells can repair or

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