Lack of stem cell laws puts patients at risk

THE current void of stem cell legislation in Ireland puts patients at unnecessary risk and expense, deters investment and expertise coming to Ireland, allows the general public to be easily confused about stem cells, and impairs Ireland’s capacity to do internationally competitive R&D in a growing number of areas.

A promise by Mary Harney TD, former Minister for Health and Children, to introduce such legislation last year has not been fulfilled.

The Irish Stem Cell Foundation applauds the Labour Party for giving commitments to solving these issues in its manifesto. Ireland has been dubbed a “Wild West” by bioethicists and we need well-informed and transparent legislation if future investment in this area is to result in definitive, internationally competitive results.

Dr Stephen Sullivan

Director and CSO

Irish Stem Cell Foundation

Dublin 4