Fed: Further accusations levelled against Prof Trounson
By Nikki Todd
BRISBANE, Aug 29 AAP - An organisation lobbying against embryonic stem cell researchtoday accused Australia's leading biotechnology researcher of further misleading parliamentarianson the debate.
Do No Harm, an organisation promoting the use of adult stem cell research, today accusedProfessor Alan Trounson of grossly misleading MPs in detailing the success of embryonicstem (ES) cell research in diabetes and Parkinson's tests in rodents.
The accusation followed an apology today from Prof Trounson for misleading MPs lastweek by claiming ES cells were used to cure a crippled rat, rather than germ cells froman aborted foetus.
However, the Monash University professor maintained he had been technically correct,as germ cells had the same capacity as ES cells.
But Do No Harm spokesman Dr David Van Gend said that in further evidence presentedto MPs, Dr Trounson failed to reveal the severe side-effects on laboratory rats and micein diabetes and Parkinson's tests.
"Dr Trounson cites a diabetic trial using ES cells in mice, (but) fails to tell MPsthat the cells only produced a fiftieth of the required insulin and all the mice soondied," Dr Van Gend said.
"And, unbelievably, he omits to tell MPs of the magnificent results using adult stemcells in mice, where in June their diabetes was reversed completely using pancreatic cells,and also in June another trial reversed their diabetes completely using liver stem cells."
And in Parkinson's tests, Prof Trounson had failed to mention a study from Februaryusing ES cells in rats which left one in five rats dead with brain tumours, Dr Van Gendsaid.
"This sort of gross distortion of the science would not be tolerated even in a juniorstudent," said Dr Van Gend, a general practitioner from Toowoomba.
"This professor is either astonishingly ignorant of landmark research in his field,or determined to mislead the public."
Prime Minister John Howard has demanded a please explain from Prof Trounson, who hasreceived a $44 million federal grant for Australia's Biotechnology Centre of Excellence.
Prof Trounson was not available for comment.
AAP nt/sc/was/de
KEYWORD: STEMCELL TROUNSON NIGHTLEAD
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