MS Society Calls On Brown To Ring-fence Stem Cell Funds

Main Category: Stem Cell Research
Article Date: 19 May 2009 - 7:00 PDT

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The MS Society has called on Gordon Brown to ring-fence funds for stem cell research into multiple sclerosis (MS).

Four years ago the UK Government announced a £50 million windfall for stem cell science but there has been no evidence of significant UK advances in research into conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS).

Without a commitment to target funding of UK stem cell trials, the charity has said research into the benefit of stem cells may be at risk of going down a blind alley.

And without evidence of fruitful UK trials into the benefit of stem cells, patients will continue to seek unproven therapies abroad, it warned.

The organisation, which supports more than 85,000 people with MS, is calling for a specific injection of £3m for translational research into regenerative medicine - taking stem cells from the scientist's bench to trials in patients.

This is ahead of an International Stem Cell Consensus meeting on Wednesday (20 May) convened by the charity to bring world leaders in stem cell research together to gain a consensus view on how best to proceed with clinical testing of stem cells in order to speed up the development of a potential therapy for MS.

UK experts will also brief MPs at a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group on MS on Tuesday (19 May), telling them that without action, British stem cell research is in danger of stalling, to the further detriment of patients in search of effective treatment.

MS Society Chief Executive, Simon Gillespie, said: "Unless there's tangible funding of properly regulated clinical trials people with MS will continue to see no option but to try potentially dangerous and unproven therapies abroad.

"We want to work with government to make sure that underfunded neurological conditions like MS benefit from intelligent investment and that stem cell research in this country continues to thrive."

Professor Robin Franklin, who is Director of the MS Society's Cambridge Centre for Myelin Repair, which carries out early stage stem cell research, said stem cell research in the UK needed the full support of the Government.

He added: "There is a concern among the medical research community that the lack of adequate levels of targeted funding is contributing toward the UK losing its place at the forefront of stem cell related research initiatives.

"This, in turn, is having a detrimental impact on people with MS in this country, by sending out the message that their condition is not being given sufficiently high priority."

Targeted funding for gene therapy, announced in 2003, has reaped rewards for a number of single gene disorders and seen significant research milestones into the congenital disease cystic fibrosis.

Mr Gillespie added: "The government has not run shy of prioritising funds for cancer, mental health and heart disease and the MS Society believes it's time it gave a boost to stem cell research into neglected long term conditions such as MS."

Source
MS Society