Written question asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Truscott (Labour) on Wednesday, 20 June 2007.

Health: Stem Cell Therapy

Question: asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 22 May (WA 90–1), why the focus for their stem cell funding is on potential clinical efficacy; and why no funding bias has been made towards work developing adult stem cells.

Answer: The Medical Research Council (MRC) supports a wide range of research on stem cells. Research on embryonic, foetal and adult stem cells is essential to move the field forward; discoveries in one area will inform others and accelerate progress. The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) supports a wide range of basic (non-medical) research for both adult and embryonic stem cells in model organisms (eg: worm, fly, frog, bird, and mouse) and humans. Both the MRC and the BBSRC allocate funding in response mode following peer review on the basis of scientific quality and potential impact.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 4129; 693 c58WA
Session: 2006-07
Related items: Embryology
Tuesday, 22 May 2007
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Finance Research Stem cells
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk