The Tribune

By DANA SMITH

Tribune Staff Reporter

dsmith@tribunemedia.net

THE implications of the stem cell research bill, which was introduced into the House of Assembly earlier this month, has been overshadowed by the controversy surrounding fashion mogul Peter Nygard, DNA Leader Branville McCartney said.

Speaking at his Halsbury Chambers law office and flanked by several other party members, Mr McCartney claimed the scrutiny surrounding the PLP and Mr Nygard has “taken too much away” from the governance of the country.

“Quite frankly,” Mr McCartney said, “whether it is right or wrong, we have a Bill before this House of Assembly known as the stem cell research and therapy bill and the fact of the matter is, the purpose of that Bill has been overshadowed by Mr Peter Nygard. It’s been overshadowed by politics.”

The country should be in a position, the party leader said, where the purpose of the stem cell bill should be “coming to light” as well as its impact on Bahamians.

“We should be in a position,” he continued, “whereby stem cell research and therapy is discussed and not Mr Nygard – but that has not happened, and we are again stagnated and not moving forward for the benefit of the country.

“There is a bill before the House of Assembly – if many of you did not know, because of these other issues – that ought to be put to the House of Assembly and the Bahamian people; and we ought to be in a position whereby if it is passed, that it starts to work for the benefit of this country and for the Bahamian people, at large.

“We have a situation where it is said that the Bill may be influenced by an individual, (but) I think we need to acknowledge the fact that the Bill is before the House and it ought to start being debated. What has happened now is really a travesty and where we are in that regard.”

Mr McCartney said “we need to get on with it, as a country” and determine whether or not stem cell research will be beneficial to the country and advance its medical field.