Stem cell therapy - Harney must close all legal loopholes

THE controversy over the unregulated application of stem cell therapy being used to treat multiple sclerosis sufferers in Ireland turns the spotlight on the urgent need for strict laws to police this unproven arm of medicine.

Around 6,000 Irish people are afflicted with the chronically debilitating and incurable condition which attacks the nervous system. Seeking a remedy at any cost, some are turning to unproven stem cell treatment at a Cork clinic, as exposed by this newspaper.

Amazingly, its service is not illegal because there is no law to govern the application of stem cell research in the Republic. An official investigation is underway.