3AW Health Special
October 1 2006
STEM CELLS AND CLONING EXPLAINED
Last week Senator Kay Patterson tabled her Bill to implement the changes to the cloning and human embryo research laws in Australia recommended by the Lockhart Review Panel. The Federal Parliament will have a free vote to decide whether these recommendations should be accepted or rejected. Many people think this sort of topic is for scientific boffins, intellectual ethicists and politicians to decide. However this is only because it seems so complex. Both sides of the debate agree that the way this vote will go WILL affect all Australians now and in the future. Tonight I have gathered some of Australia's luminaries in science and ethics to debate the issues, and your input is welcome.
We're going to clear up the myths and get to the facts. My guests include
* Victorian Treasurer and Minister for Innovation, John Brumby
* CEO of the NHMRC - Prof Warwick Anderson AM ( NATIONAL HEALTH AND MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL)
* CEO of the Australian Stem Cell Centre - Dr Stephen Livesey
* Decorated scientist and Former Director of St Vincent's Institute of medical research and member of the Human genetics Advisory committee of the NHMRC - Emeritus Prof Jack Martin AO
* Member of the Lockhart review panel and Joint Nobel Prize winner for Medicine in 2005 , Prof Barry Marshall
read a transcript of Barry's address to the Press Club of Australia in July 2006
"
However, let me emphasise this, science is not a democracy – nor is it
a religion. No matter how many people support a particular point of view
– for example that ulcers are hereditary disease triggered by stress
then if we know that ulcers are caused by a bacteria which you catch
from your mother – then even if we are the only two people in the
world with that opinion, the majority loses, and ultimately all the
stressed out people just take antibiotics and get on with their
stressful but mostly happy lives.
Similarly, science is not a religion.
You all know the true story of Galileo telling the Pope that the earth
actually travelled around the sun – not vice versa! – or the
continuing saga of Charles Darwin in his theory of evolution.
Catholic Priest and tireless Community Advocate - ( and fabulous media commentator) Father Bob Maguire
Director of Roy Morgan Polls - Gary Morgan -
click to read the Morgan Poll on Australians opinions of Stem Cell Research using Embryos
Chief of The Southern Cross Radio Network News Bureau Canberra and Political Journalist- Alison Carabine
click on any of the names to find out more about these people or their organisations - many have info on the issues on their sites.
The senate inquiry, the Bill and explanatory memorandum by clicking HERE
More info below.