DRWF Statement on Stem Cell Research

DRWF Position Statement on Stem Cell Research 2007

With more than 2 million people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK and an estimated further 750,000 who have the condition, but don’t even know it, DRWF is intent on its prime aim as a medical research charity – to find a cure.

Even though Diabetes is a non-infectious disease, it has been recognised as posing as serious a global threat as infectious epidemics. With around 6 million newly diagnosed each year, it is anticipated that by 2030 more than 330 million people worldwide, will be affected by the condition.

Stem Cell Research is still in its early stages, but there has been much news that it shows potential for possibly speeding up the path of a discovery of a cure for diabetes.

In the long term it is believed that stem cell research will lead to the development of many new treatments for a wide range of diseases but there is certainly still a long way to go in this research area, before treatments would be available.

DRWF recognises that there are important ethical issues that must be taken into account when considering all aspects of stem cell research. It is vitally important that appropriate safeguards and limitations are in place and the HFEA has effectively regulated this research in the UK for more than ten years.

The aim of medical research is to relieve suffering and improve the quality of life for people in ill health, many of whom may die prematurely. With this in mind, DRWF supports the continued investigation of stem cell research, within the strict and rigorous regulatory framework, in which medical researchers are required to carry out their work.