Senator Barnaby Joyce welcomed the break-through this week in Newcastle, England by Prof Colin McGuckin who has developed of a human liver from umbilical cord stem cells.

“This is a non controversial treatment of great benefit and shows the returns which can be brought about by investment in successful technology.

“For every dollar in the future spent on alternate embryonic stem cell technology, you lose the ability to invest that dollar in proven adult and umbilical cord stem cell technologies.

“The facts are the real determinant of whether you wish to fix afflictions such as Type 1 Diabetes or whether you wish to entertain curiosity on unproven technology in embryonic stem cells.

“Australia has a great opportunity to be at the forefront with proven developments in adult stem cells. Yet again the facts speak for themselves, if you genuinely want to help those with the afflictions which hope is apportioned under stem cell treatments?

“Invest where you can deliver results, where you can sincerely deliver hope on the premise of fact. If you believe that curiosity is better than results for those afflicted then pour the money down the embryonic stem cell drain.”