MNDA chairman backs stem-cell clone project

NEW hope for a cure for motor neurone disease using controversial stem-cell research has been welcomed by islanders involved in tackling the illness. Herbert Winterflood, chairman of the MND Association in the island, was pleased that the British scientist who cloned Dolly the sheep had been granted a licence to use human embryos to find a cure.

'Having seen people with MND, I would welcome research along these lines,' he said.

'It's a devastating illness. The doctors do their best to help ease the symptoms but it's not curable at the moment. I think that anything that would help a patient find relief and hopefully a cure is a good thing.'

Mr Winterflood's views were echoed by Leat Woodhams, who founded the association more than 20 years ago after a friend of hers contracted the disease. 'Although we are probably several years from the research being put into general use, it's just wonderful news for anybody with the disease,' she said.

But the announcement was condemned by Channel Islands Right to Life, the lobby group opposed to all forms of embryo research, which also had a strong voice in the recent debate on euthanasia.

'MND is a very sad and debilitating disease and I would like very much to see a cure, but I do believe that we do not have to create and make human embryos, then give them a disease, thereby ending their lives,' said Cindy Kennedy, who co-chairs the group.

She echoed lobby groups in the UK saying it was possible for adult stem cells to be used instead. Embryonic cells, she believed, gave false hope.

'What should be told in the media is that there has never been a cure for any disease using human embryo stem cells. In contrast to that, there has been great progress in research of diseases using adult stem cells.'

Although Professor Ian Wilmut, the scientist tasked with finding a cure for MND, said that the embryos would not be allowed to grow beyond 14 days, Mrs Kennedy believed this was still ethically unacceptable.

She said that humanity began at conception and that allowing embryonic stem-cell research put British science on a slippery slope

She saw no contradiction in a 'pro-life' group being opposed to research that some believe could cure MND.

'My position protects human life and the fabric of society.'

She attacked the alternative position as one that is pro-death and said that the use of stem cells was not a choice that can be made on a personal level.

'We need laws that protect us. If laws don't protect us from killing, then there's nothing in society to protect us from somebody else's choice.'

Mr Winterflood, a regular churchgoer, said that those opposed to the research might have a different opinion if they or their close relatives were struck with MND. A diabetic, he said the research would also help people with conditions like his.

'There are people out there who are not against this and I don't see why they shouldn't benefit from the advances of medical science.'