Plea to Brown for stem-cell research millions

Published on Sunday 17 May 2009 22:00

PRIME Minister Gordon Brown has been urged to guarantee millions of pounds for research into stem-cell therapies for multiple sclerosis.

The MS society, which represents sufferers of the disease, said that without large-scale government support for clinical trials the new hope offered by stem-cell science may be lost.

It wants to see a specific injection of 3 million to move stem-cell technology from laboratories to hospitals. Four years ago the government announced 50 million for stem-cell science. But since then, the MS Society said, little has been done to promote research into practical stem-cell treatments for conditions such as multiple sclerosis.

Stem cells are immature cells that can develop along a number of different pathways. Scientists hope some of them may be used to create replacement neurons for brain and nervous system diseases.

Simon Gillespie, the chief executive of the MS Society, said: "Unless there's tangible funding of properly regulated clinical trials, people with MS will continue to see no option but to try potentially dangerous and unproven therapies abroad."