IRELAND: State Awards UCG ?15m For Major Stem-Cell Centre

[Murray Charters <mcharters@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

IRELAND: State Awards UCG ?15m For Major Stem-Cell Centre

Tuesday, January 13, 2004

The State has agreed to support a major stem-cell research initiative in a new 
laboratory based at NUI Galway. The stem-
cell issue sparked huge controversy late last year when the EU Commission 
sought member-state agreement on funding for
research. Dick Ahlstrom, Science Editor, reports.

The Government will put ?15 million into the new Regenerative Medicine 
Institute on the Galway campus via the Science
Foundation Ireland (SFI) funding body.

The allocation is part of a much larger ?69 million research spend announced 
yesterday by the Tánaiste, Ms Harney.

The issue of stem-cell research regularly sparks controversy given that some of 
it is based on the destruction of
viable human embryos.

The work at Galway will use adult stem cells only, recovered from adult 
tissues. The lab would be in a strong position,
however, to pursue embryonic stem-cell research if the green light is given by 
the Commission for Assisted Human
Reproduction. The commission has been considering the issue for more than two 
years, and is due to deliver
recommendations to Government in March.

A political row broke out in November in advance of an EU industry ministers' 
vote on guidelines for EU funding for
embryonic stem-cell research. The Government backed EU funding in the context 
of strict guidelines, but was quickly
accused of openly supporting destruction of embryos.

Government backbenchers criticised the decision to back guidelines in the 
December 3rd vote. However, ministers failed
to agree, and EU funding for embryonic stem-cell research now goes ahead 
without agreed controls. The Tánaiste, who
attended the council, described it afterwards as a "very unsatisfactory 
position".

Researchers study stem cells because of their ability to transform into many 
different cell types. Embryonic cells
transform most readily, but adult stem cells have also shown signs of being 
able to change into different cells that
scientists hope could be used as replacement tissues to cure diseases.

The university's president, Dr Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh, said the award showed 
Galway had reached "the highest
international standing in research".

SFI also announced a ?10 million award for a new centre studying electronic 
devices, a co-operative venture involving
Trinity College, University College Cork and University College Dublin. Ms 
Harney said the investments would "play a
significant role in building Ireland's new knowledge-driven economy".

Linkages between academia and industry were part of SFI's effort "to create and 
sustain a lasting indigenous research
base that produces ideas, products and jobs", said its director general, Dr 
William C. Harris.

SOURCE: Irish Times, Ireland


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