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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 04 Hansard (Thursday, 1 April 2004) . . Page.. 1586 ..

Legislators have always put the interests of children before adults. I realise that it is a matter of choice as to where people believe life begins. Given a choice, human embryos would never consent to their own destruction. I find it quite alarming that there is deception abounding that there is no alternative to embryonic stem cell research. It would be very easy for me to just put a stop on this and say, “I am definitely not against research and development in order to find cures.” I lost a niece to cystic fibrosis at the age of 17. Advancements in science in Australia lead the way, and that has been tremendous. I do not think we have enough information to hand at the moment to justify that this is the way we should be going.

It is interesting to note the views of Dr Amin Abboud, the Director of the Australian Bioethics Information Centre, to whom I alluded earlier. He outlines quite clearly some of the issues in a paper produced on 25 August 2002. He states:

Regenerative medicine is an exciting new field of medicine in which different techniques, including stem cells, are used to repair damaged organs and tissues. The ethical issue is where we get the stem cells from. The destruction of embryos for stem cells research is ethically unacceptable.

What are stem cells?

Stem cells can change into many types of cells – heart cells, nerve cells, muscle cells, skin etc. Because of this capacity they may prove useful for treatment of some medical conditions.

Where do stem cells come from?

Adult stem cells can be taken from living humans (children or adults) without harming them. Embryonic stem cells come from embryos. The embryo is destroyed and its stem cells are extracted.

What are the benefits of stem cell treatment?

Stem cell research may benefit many conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, spinal cord injuries, heart disease and cancer. The new cells may be able to replace damaged tissue. The only stem cells that have helped patients so far are adult stem cells. Embryonic stem cell research has not helped a single patient.

Which cells should doctors use?

The deception that there is no alternative to embryonic stem cell research is propagated by those with a personal interest in destructive embryonic stem cell research. Successful and ethical adult stem cell research involves no destruction of embryos.

Is this a clash between religion and science?

No. It is about good science versus bad science. Good science is ethical science.

Why are some scientists pushing embryonic stem cell research if the use of adult stem cell is useful and ethical?

The key argument for using stem cells from embryos is they are easier to change into other types of cells. While this has some basis, the technology is improving so rapidly that it is hard to substantiate.

We are back to that argument again—that is, we cannot be 100 per cent sure. He continues:

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