Group urges more stem cell research in Ireland

Ireland needs to vigorously pursue stem cell research, a new organisation has insisted today.

The Adult Stem Cell Foundation of Ireland is being launched today, and aims to help people in need of - or undergoing - stem cell research.

Professor Colin McGuckin is president and director of the Cell Therapy Research Institute in France, and is the stem cell advisor to the Pope.

He says Ireland may look back in years to come with regret if we don't act now.

"My group were the first in the world to make an artificial liver tissue using umbilical cord blood stem cells and we're developing that for children who need the dialysis and liver treatments," he said.

"We want to make sure that these treatments that we're developing in the UK and France and other countries are also available right here in Ireland and I want to make sure that people understand what can be done and what can't be done, so that people have informed choice."