Fed: PM and states agree to national framework on stem cells
By Sandra O'Malley
CANBERRA, April 5 AAP - Prime Minister John Howard today bowed to state concerns overembryonic stem cell research, clearing the way for a national framework agreed by stateand territory leaders.
State leaders went into the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting confidentof a resolution but adamant they would not back down over conditions attached to Mr Howard'soriginal proposal.
Under the agreement thrashed out today, embryo donors will have to give consent onlyonce for stem cell research.
"Consent for research once given is good for all kinds of research," Mr Howard said.
And in a significant backdown for the prime minister, the leaders agreed that a banon the use of future surplus IVF embryos for stem cell research would expire in threeyears' time.
An ethics committee will also be established to advise COAG within 12 months on a regimeto prevent embryos being created for the sole purpose of research.
"If there were agreement on the regime then you could make a change at that 12 monthpoint. If there's not agreement, in any event it runs out in three years," Mr Howard said.
After that point each jurisdiction would develop its own legislation to deal with the issue.
The prime minister originally wanted research to only occur on the existing stock ofaround 70,000 surplus IVF embryos.
He had also wanted consent from a donor in every case where the human embryo was tobe used for research purposes.
Mr Howard told journalists he believed the agreement would be widely applauded in theAustralian community.
"It provides certainty, it provides opportunity, it provides hope," he said.
Mr Howard - the only Liberal leader at COAG - thanked the Labor leaders for their cooperation.
The outcome was unanimously welcomed by the leaders, who will now have to steer mirrorlegislation through their parliaments.
Federal MPs will have a free vote on the legislation which Mr Howard hopes to havethrough federal parliament by the end of June.
Cabinet ministers Alexander Downer and Brendan Nelson have already indicated theirsupport for the legislation.
NSW Premier Bob Carr said the agreement offered Australians suffering disease hopeof relief and predicted it would result in medical breakthroughs.
Victorian Premier Steve Bracks described the agreement as a victory for common sense.
"I can go back to Victoria now comforted by the fact that we have a national position,which we will now legislate for in Victoria, which will allow that research to be undertakenin the future," he said.
Queensland Premier Peter Beattie said the agreement meant human life would be improvedin Australia.
"This is the most positive and constructive COAG meeting I have attended," he said.
AAP so/daw/cjh/mo
KEYWORD: STEMCELL NIGHTLEAD
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