The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Perry Christie says there has been a flood of interest in local stem cell research from major developers and scientists – but he claimed he was not allowed to name any of them.

Mr Christie said since the Stem Cell Research and Therapy Bill was passed by parliament, there had been an outpouring of applications for projects, but he cannot not reveal from who.

However, the Prime Minister did say the University of Miami (UM) wants to be involved with stem cell research in the Bahamas in ways that are beyond his expectations.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, Mr Christie explained that not only were UM officials slated to engage in discussions with the government next week Friday, he said they want to expand their plans in a way which will create economic benefits.

Mr Christie said: “They have now submitted to me an outline of areas they would wish to contribute to in the Bahamas and it is that outline that prompted me to invite them to come where a team – Ministry of Health officials and officials from my ministry – will be able to meet with them to determine how we go about enabling them to contribute to the regime we are establishing.

“Much to my surprise, they want to even extend and expand their involvement in the Bahamas which then brings it to an economic interest.

“So the meeting on Friday will be very instructive because it will enable us then to make decisions with respect to which they will contribute in establishing a regime.

“I think the exciting thing about that is that we have had now applications, one of which I did not expect from a major, major developer to expand its development to include in joint venture with a medical group here. The development is to incorporate medical practices and a small hospital that will be specialising in certain kinds of areas including stem cells. So I am very excited about what is happening in that area.”

Mr Christie admitted that his expectations were not met in one regard. The Genting Group had not yet applied to do research in the Bahamas.

“I expected (them to apply) because I knew the Genting Group is a major conglomerate of companies that also has a commitment to medical research. I would not have been surprised if they had made a proposal. But it wont be long now before we publicly discuss it,” Mr Christie said.