Stem cell firm drops Bermuda from website
Stem cell work at the Brown-Darrell Clinic appears to be no closer to
happening after Bermuda was dropped from a list of research centres
on Stemedica's website.
And the Ministry of Health is refusing to say whether Stemedica's
self-imposed condition — that regulatory approval of stem cell work
is granted from an oversight committee — has been or will be met on
the Island.
Since last year, California-based Stemedica had been stating that
stem cell research at Brown-Darrell — a partnership between
Stemedica, Premier Ewart Brown and wife Wanda at Winterhaven in
Smith's — would begin in early 2008.
Following a relaunch of the firm's website earlier this month,
Bermuda was listed alongside Switzerland, Korea, Mexico and Russia as
a centre for cell manufacturing and master banking.
However, when The Royal Gazette asked what this meant, Stemedica vice
president Dave McGuigan said Bermuda had been added as
an "oversight."
And Mr. McGuigan said no cell manufacturing or master banking was
taking place on the Island. Shortly afterwards, the reference to
Bermuda was removed.
Mr. McGuigan failed to respond when asked when the stem cell side of
the operation at Brown-Darrell would open.
The new-look website also lists the conditions under which its
clinical research centres operate. These include "secured approval
from hospital/institutio
regulatory approval in their country to conduct stem cell therapy".
International doctors have previously spoken out about Bermuda's lack
of stem cell legislation. In countries such as the US, UK and Canada,
the practice is heavily monitored and legislated. George Daley,
president of the International Society for Stem Cell Research, says
he is very sceptical of anyone running experimental treatment in
jurisdictions where there is no regulatory oversight.
Brown-Darrell has pledged to welcome and encourage legislation
consistent with the international protocol practised by countries
engaged in stem cell research. However, it has repeatedly failed to
respond when asked if it will postpone opening the stem cell side of
its operation until such legislation is in place.
Throughout the past year or so, the Ministry of Health has repeatedly
refused to answer when asked whether stem cell legislation will be
introduced in Bermuda.
The last word from Government was in January from Health Minister
Nelson Bascome, who said nothing had come across his desk.
Over the past two weeks, Mr. Bascome, two Ministry of Health press
officers and Permanent Secretary Warren Jones have ignored a number
of requests as to whether Stemedica's regulation requirements are met
and whether the Ministry is putting together any legislation covering
stem cells.
http://www.royalgaz
?articleId=7d889333
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StemCells subscribers may also be interested in these sites:
Children's Neurobiological Solutions
http://www.CNSfoundation.org/
Cord Blood Registry
http://www.CordBlood.com/at.cgi?a=150123
The CNS Healing Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CNS_Healing
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