Boost for Swedish stem cell research while Australia disagrees

Stem cell research in Sweden will be given a large financial boost. The International Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation will contribute 50 million Swedish Krona, the Swedish Research Council will add 20 million Krona and the Swedish Association of Diabetes Research Fund (SADRF) will provide another 5 million.

The money will be used over five years to fund stem cell research in Sweden including the derivation and characterisation of new human embryo stem cell lines, characterisation of existing cell lines, studies of cell differentiation and development and study of the ethical and legal aspects of work on stem cells derived from human embryos. .

The financial input has been welcomed by Swedish scientists. Stefan Leufstedt, chairman of the SADRF, said that 'Swedish researchers are at the international forefront in the field of stem cells. The agreement strengthens the great potential for development that exists here'.

Meanwhile, disagreement about embryo stem cell research has been rife between state and federal governments in Australia. The Prime Minister, John Howard, is due to meet with the heads of the eight states and territories of Australia on 6 April, to discuss the regulation of stem cell research. In February, Bob Carr, premier of New South Wales, vowed to let stem cell research continue there even if it was banned throughout Australia. Reports published in February seemed to suggest that the federal government was planning to ignore recommendations made by a parliamentary panel and would ban the creation of stem cell lines from 'spare' IVF embryos. Researchers are hoping that the government will change its position.