AUSTRALIAN PM TO ALLOW CONSCIENCE VOTE ON STEM CELLS

Tue Aug 15, 1:38 AM ET

SYDNEY (AFP) - Australian Prime Minister John Howard will allow members of his conservative government a conscience vote on stem cell research, officials said.

Howard had faced a backbench revolt from colleagues dissatisfied over his cabinet's decision last June to maintain an existing ban on theraputic cloning for embryonic stem cell research.

The prime minister had previously said there was no need to change existing laws on the issue. But a government spokesman said he had agreed to a free vote after a meeting of lawmakers from the ruling Liberal-National coalition Tuesday.

The spokesman said Howard told the meeting: "You can't impose a government view on something like this."

A government-commissioned review of biotechnology last December recommended scientists should be allowed to use therapeutic cloning to generate stem cells for research into specific diseases.

Instead, the cabinet voted to maintain 2002 laws allowing only spare embryos left over from in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures to be used for research.

Scientists who were part of the government review had claimed researchers were leaving Australia because of the government-imposed restrictions on their work.

Neuroscientist Peter Schofield said earlier this week that a conscience vote on stem cell research would help debate on the issue. "It is a difficult and emotionally charged area," he said.

Scientists hope that stem cells, which are master cells found in embryos and adults, can be grown into a variety of tissues and cells which will help treat degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and motor neurone disease.

But opponents of stem cell research say the artificial manipulation of human embryos raises religious and ethical problems.

While there is no legislation currently before parliament dealing with stem cell research, Democrats senator Natasha Stott Despoja has indicated she intends to introduce a private member's bill on the issue.