Scottish and Chinese centres join hands for stem cell research

13 April 2009

Two of the world's premier stem cell research centres, Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine (SCRM) at the University of Edinburgh and China's National Centre for International Research in Stem Cells (NCIR) signed an agreement in Beijing to work together in collaborative research in the area of stem cell therapy.

The ''landmark'' deal was welcomed by Scotland's first minister Alex Salmond who is on an official visit to China.

China carries out embryonic stem cell research with its primary focus on investigating the ''molecular mechanism of embryonic stem cells and to eventually establish human embryonic germ cell lines and stem cell banks''.

SCRM is engaged in research in the area of adult stem cells which are undifferentiated found throughout the body, that divide and multiply to replenish dying cells and regenerate damaged tissues. Their recent discovery of stem cell made from skin cells to be safely transplanted into humans ultimately could bring an end to the need for human embryos as a source of stem cells.

Sir Ian Wilmut, who created Dolly the sheep, the first mammal to be cloned from an adult stem cell, signed the agreement on behalf of SCRM.

The deal alarmed the Roman Catholic church, which is strongly opposed to stem cell research using human embryos, but has no objection for using adult stem cells. A church spokesman said it is disappointing if Scottish scientists and government are involved in any way in encouraging this type of work.