Fed: Boy makes emotional plea on eve of stem cell debate
By James Grubel, Chief Political Correspondent
CANBERRA, Aug 19 AAP - A 12-year-old boy suffering juvenile diabetes led an emotionalplea in support of embryonic stem cell research today, ahead of this week's parliamentarydebate on the issue.
James Shepherd told of his daily routine of insulin injections and blood-sugar leveltests, which he said had made him a social exile.
He has had more than 7,000 injections since he contracted the disease when he was five.
His only hope, he said, was that a breakthrough in stem cell research could lead to a cure.
"In everything I do, diabetes affects my life," he said at a combined media conferencedesigned to urge MPs and senators to support laws allowing the research.
He said his life was far from normal.
"Unless a cure is found, I never will be," he said.
James and several other speakers who live with severe disabilities today urged politiciansto pass laws allowing research on excess IVF embryonic stem cells.
The legislation is being put forward by Prime Minister John Howard, in line with anagreement with the states and territories on uniform stem cell laws.
The laws also prohibit human cloning.
Both government and Labor MPs and senators will have a free vote on the issue.
Opposition Leader Simon Crean urged his parliamentary colleagues to support the laws.
But he hit out at suggestions the laws should be split to allow separate votes on stemcells and human cloning.
"I don't believe the legislation should be split," he said.
"I don't think it makes sense to split it."
NSW Premier Bob Carr threatened his state could go it alone on stem cell research iffederal parliament knocked down the laws.
He said Victoria and Queensland could also allow research to continue if the federallegislation was defeated.
"Simply by not legislating in NSW, we would allow our regime to continue," Mr Carrtold reporters.
"That is, if the legislation is defeated in Canberra, research could continue in NSW."
However, Mr Carr said everyone preferred uniform national laws on the issue.
Australia's leading stem cell researcher Alan Trounson said it was crucial that researchbe allowed on both embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells.
"We have to work on both these cell types," he said.
Prof Trounson said it was impossible to tell if medical breakthroughs would come fromembryonic or adult stem cell research.
Despite today's pleas, NSW independent MP Peter Andren said he would oppose the legislation.
"The critical factor in my decision is my belief that any medical breakthroughs sofar have been achieved with adult stem cells and not embryos," he said.
Mr Andren called on Mr Howard to split the laws on cloning and stem cell research.
AAP jg/daw/tnf/br
KEYWORD: STEMCELL NIGHTLEAD
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