States join forces on $1 million Stem Cell Program
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10 April 2008
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Research into new treatments for diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, cancer, heart disease, spinal cord injury and diabetes has received a $1 million boost from the Victorian and NSW governments.
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Each state will provide $500,000 towards a collaborative stem cell research grants program, with applicants to comply with Australia’s rigorous regulatory regime for research involving human embryonic stem cells.
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Recent changes to legislation in both Victoria and NSW have opened up new opportunities for stem cell research in Australia, including somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT).
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SCNT uses a patient’s own cells to create a source of individually tailored embryonic stem cells. For patients with a specific disease these stem cells will have unique characteristics that may be used to understand and treat the disease process.
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Significant advances have also been made in reprogramming adult cells to exhibit traits similar to embryonic stem cells and more research is needed to see if these can replace embryonic stem cells.
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“Victoria has led the way nationally in stem cell research and Australia is already a global leader in the field. Now Victoria and NSW are coming together to extend our leadership into new stem cell technologies which have the potential to transform how we treat major and growing diseases like diabetes, heart disease, cancer and Parkinson's,” Victorian Innovation Minister Gavin Jennings said.
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The amended Victorian Infertility Treatment Act and the NSW Human Cloning and Other Prohibited Practices Act have both provided a clear regulatory framework for stem cell research.
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Guidelines and application forms for stem cell research grants program are available at: www.biotechnology.vic.gov.au and www.osmr.nsw.gov.au
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