parties silent about outcome of pig cell trans

Morning all,

another update on LCT's application:

Parties silent about outcome of pig cell transplant meeting

By AMY MILNE - The Southland Times | Wednesday, 17 September 2008


The health minister and the Auckland based-research company behind pig cell transplants met behind closed doors yesterday but are remaining equally closed on the outcome of the meeting.


Living Cell Technologies met Health Minister David Cunliffe in Wellington to discuss the issue allowing xenotransplants (animal cells to humans) in New Zealand.

However, following the meeting a spokesman for Mr Cunliffe said both sides agreed to remain silent on the matter for now.

"There will be updates in the next couple of weeks," he said.

When asked why neither side was commenting, the spokesman said it was a matter for political discussions and not a matter for the media.

"Both sides want to make it very clear it was a useful and
productive meeting." Living Cell Technologies medical director Bob Elliot could not be reached for comment last night.

However, he told The Southland Times on Monday he was doubtful Mr Cunliffe would make a decision before the election.

Invercargill diabetic Pete Thompson had been hoping there would be an announcement in favour of xenotransplants before the election.

Mr Thompson was part of successful xenotransplant trials in the 1990s before they were banned because of fears pig cells could have a potentially harmful virus called porcine retrovirus.

Yesterday, he said he had not heard any updates from the
meeting.

Both parties' silence indicated something had been said but as to what remained a mystery, Mr Thompson said.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/southlandtimes/4695147a6568.html



Cheers

SW