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Swiss go-ahead for stem-cell research
By Haig Simonian in Zurich
Published: November 29 2004 02:00 | Last updated: November 29 2004 02:00

Swiss voters looked set last night to approve new legislation allowing
stem-cell research, to the relief of the country's pharmaceuticals and
biotechnology sectors.

Exit polls yesterday suggested voters had backed government proposals
allowing stem-cell research on surplus human embryos, in a referendum
some business and political leaders have described as crucial to
maintain the country's position among the leaders in the drugs industry.

The Swiss move follows ground-breaking steps to enable stem-cell
research in the UK, and, most recently, California. Some scientists
believe work on stem cells could open opportunities in treating hitherto
incurable diseases by using the ability of embryonic stem cells to adapt
and grow in damaged organs.

The Swiss government proposals, which received parliamentary approval
last year, would open the door to stem-cell research, subject to tight
conditions. Stem-cell production would be limited to embryos not more
than seven days old, while therapeutic cloning and trade in embryos
would be banned, along with research on the embryos themselves.

The Swiss debate has mirrored heated exchanges in other countries.
Although the law was approved in 2003, religious and pro-life groups,
along with opponents of gene technology, collected enough signatures to
prompt a referendum, under the country's strict direct democracy.

The measure was supported by the four political parties in the governing
coalition, along with big business.

In spite of its small population, Switzerland is a leading centre of
research into drugs and disease. Novartis and Roche, two of the world's
leading pharmaceuticals groups, are based in the country, as are a large
number of smaller biotechnology companies.

Pharmaceuticals and biotech stocks, along with healthcare in general,
account for about a third of the capitalisation of the Zurich stock
exchange.

Scientists say embryonic stem cells hold great promise for treating
illnesses, such as juvenile diabetes, Parkinson's disease and spinal
cord injuries, because the cells can adapt themselves into almost any
type of tissue or cell.

Earlier this year, Californians narrowly voted in favour of a $3bn
(€2.25bn, £1.6bn), 10-year programme to support embryonic stem- cell
research, in a attempt to put their state at the forefront of scientific
endeavour in what may one day become a major therapeutic area.

The measure was backed by Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Republican state
governor, in spite of opposition in the Republican party and from US
President George W. Bush.

In the UK, the world's first national repository of such cells opened
this year, establishing the first "bank" for storing and distributing
the tiny fragments of life.




One can only hope when the Swiss come up with some interesting
breakthroughs, they charge US citizens a double arm and a leg...


--
A passing thought:

"Obviously, I pray every day there's less casualty." —George W. Bush,
Fort Hood, Texas, April 11, 2004

Stem Cell research is not illegal in the USA. Just that the Federal
Government is not going to pay for it. California's stupid voters just
passed a law saying the State of California will spend $6 billion in the
next few years on stem cell research. The $6 billion will be spent whether
we have deficits or not. Guaranteed spending. And after all that, we
taxpayers of California will not get to own any part of any patent generated
from the research. You want to do stem cell research, you put up the money
and benefit from the patents.