CANBERRA, Australia, Sept. 28 (UPI) -- Australia's Victorian Treasurer John Brumby wants to boost his state's reputation as a world leader in biotechnology.
Brumby reportedly told a national inquiry into cloning and embryo research Wednesday that scientists are being hampered by existing laws.
Australia's federal Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane indicates there is a mood for change in Canberra, warning regulatory uncertainty and the emotive debate surrounding the stem-cell issue are threatening to torpedo the industry in Australia, The Age reported Wednesday.
Currently, Australian scientists can use only spare IVF embryos for stem-cell research. But they could create cloned human embryos specifically for stem cells to treat major diseases under a Victorian Government push for relaxed embryo research laws.
Brumby believes the law should allow "therapeutic cloning," in which an embryo is cloned from a patient's cell, then destroyed in a matter of days after its stem cells are collected.
Victoria's proposal has the backing of other states, but will need the full support of the federal government if changes are to be made, The Age said.
