SYDNEY, 17 August 2006: Embryonic stem cell research could be back on the cards for Australian researchers, following an announcement that Senator Kay Patterson is preparing legislation to overturn current bans.

The announcement comes a day after the Prime Minister, John Howard, allowed the matter to be decided with a conscience vote, if a Bill were to be presented to Parliament.

Senator Patterson told ABC radio program AM, that she will work with colleagues "to ensure that as far possible the bill has a very strong likelihood of coming up."

"I don't find these debates easy, but I think the community has to have them."

Embryonic stem cell research has faced much controversy since its appearance in the 1990s. The technology studies stem cells extracted from blastocysts (embryos less than 14 days old) left over from IVF programs and offers a range of applications from spinal cord injuries to cancer treatments.

Supporters of embryonic stem cell research are opposed to the current regulations, which, in December 2002, put a halt on exploring the science further within Australian borders.

"If our researchers are going to be involved then they need to be free to use this technique," said Elizabeth Finkel, author of Stem Cells: Controversy at the frontiers of science and contributing editor to Cosmos Magazine.

Researchers fear that many people, including politicians, misunderstand the research and associate it with human cloning and Brave New World-style experiments.

"We're not talking about copying people, we're talking about copying their cells," said Finkel.

The Federal government has faced much criticism for its lack of action following the recommendations of the Lockhart Review, its own 2005 report into embryonic stem cell research.

The report concluded that "based on its wide consultations, there is a need for an augmentation of the current system to allow research, within a rigorous ethical framework, into emerging scientific practices that will assist in the understanding of disease."

In Senator Patterson's statement earlier today, she said "in developing the bill I will be taking close account of the Lockhart recommendations.

"I will continue to listen carefully to arguments on both sides, in particular the ongoing discussion in the party room which will inform how I will proceed with the bill," said Senator Patterson.

Take the Cosmos Online poll on embryonic stem cell testing (at right).