Global Post
4-15-13
The Bahamas government says it is moving to regulate stem research in the country indicating that it is fully aware of the concerns raised in the public domain.
Prime Minister Perry Christie, who piloted legislation on the issue as well as proposed regulations to implement the Act, told legislators that the authorities had commissioned a task force to study the matter.
“The task force issued a thorough and thoughtful report summarising the current state of stem cell science and of ethical debate regarding related controversial issues,” he said, adding that his administration had also received counsel from the Christian Coalition and is having on-going consultation within the medical and science communities.
He said based on the information to date, the government’s position is that before allowing stem cell research or therapy in the country, it must first establish a legal framework for regulating this new science and medical practice.
“Consequently, we have halted the pending stem cell proposals until we do so.
“We recognise that it is critical to have in place a system to approve and monitor stem cell research and therapy to protect our reputation, guard against rogue scientists and scandals, ensure the safety of patients in The Bahamas, and assure our people that all stem cell research and therapy will be conducted in accordance with our own ethical values following international best practices.”
Prime Minister Christie said the legal framework will create a regulatory regime covering all aspects of stem cell research including testing stem cells in people and on clinical research, which includes bench research in laboratories as well as non-human animal research.
He said that the framework will prohibit and deter procedures that are unethical or scientifically unfounded, such as human reproductive cloning.
“It will establish strict regulatory standards and procedures for non-clinical and clinical research and for therapy, as well as for ancillary functions, such as transporting and storing stem cells.
“It will establish licensing and oversight mechanisms to ensure that everyone in the country who engages in stem cell research or therapy meets those standards. And it will establish enforcement mechanisms and legal penalties through which the Minister of Health and the Government will be able to ensure that these legal standards are upheld,” Prime Minister Christie added.
Prime Minister Christie said that an mportant component of the oversight regime involves committee review.
“Every person who conducts research on or provides treatment using stem cells must secure review by a Scientific Review Committee and an Ethics Committee. Each Scientific Review Committee must ensure that a sound scientific basis exists for permitting the proposed research or therapy to proceed.”
He said that it will also ensure that the individuals proposing to conduct stem cell research or therapy have appropriate training and experience.
“In short, this review will weed out unethical (“mad”) scientists. The Ethics Committees will ensure that all stem cell research and therapy meet the highest ethical standards and are consistent with Bahamian values.”
CANA News
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/asianet/130415/government-moving-regulate-stem-cell-therapy-the-bahamas
4-15-13
The Bahamas government says it is moving to regulate stem research in the country indicating that it is fully aware of the concerns raised in the public domain.
Prime Minister Perry Christie, who piloted legislation on the issue as well as proposed regulations to implement the Act, told legislators that the authorities had commissioned a task force to study the matter.
“The task force issued a thorough and thoughtful report summarising the current state of stem cell science and of ethical debate regarding related controversial issues,” he said, adding that his administration had also received counsel from the Christian Coalition and is having on-going consultation within the medical and science communities.
He said based on the information to date, the government’s position is that before allowing stem cell research or therapy in the country, it must first establish a legal framework for regulating this new science and medical practice.
“Consequently, we have halted the pending stem cell proposals until we do so.
“We recognise that it is critical to have in place a system to approve and monitor stem cell research and therapy to protect our reputation, guard against rogue scientists and scandals, ensure the safety of patients in The Bahamas, and assure our people that all stem cell research and therapy will be conducted in accordance with our own ethical values following international best practices.”
Prime Minister Christie said the legal framework will create a regulatory regime covering all aspects of stem cell research including testing stem cells in people and on clinical research, which includes bench research in laboratories as well as non-human animal research.
He said that the framework will prohibit and deter procedures that are unethical or scientifically unfounded, such as human reproductive cloning.
“It will establish strict regulatory standards and procedures for non-clinical and clinical research and for therapy, as well as for ancillary functions, such as transporting and storing stem cells.
“It will establish licensing and oversight mechanisms to ensure that everyone in the country who engages in stem cell research or therapy meets those standards. And it will establish enforcement mechanisms and legal penalties through which the Minister of Health and the Government will be able to ensure that these legal standards are upheld,” Prime Minister Christie added.
Prime Minister Christie said that an mportant component of the oversight regime involves committee review.
“Every person who conducts research on or provides treatment using stem cells must secure review by a Scientific Review Committee and an Ethics Committee. Each Scientific Review Committee must ensure that a sound scientific basis exists for permitting the proposed research or therapy to proceed.”
He said that it will also ensure that the individuals proposing to conduct stem cell research or therapy have appropriate training and experience.
“In short, this review will weed out unethical (“mad”) scientists. The Ethics Committees will ensure that all stem cell research and therapy meet the highest ethical standards and are consistent with Bahamian values.”
CANA News
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/asianet/130415/government-moving-regulate-stem-cell-therapy-the-bahamas