-
Related
A professor claims a controversial medical trial is being stalled by a political vendetta.
Bob Elliott from Diatranz wants to carry out pig cell trials for diabetes and says a proposed new bill is evidence of political interference.
Xenotransplantation involves the transfer of animal cells, in this case from pigs, to help the human body produce insulin.
But a select committee has recommended the company involved in the trials, Diatranz, be given no exemptions from legislation banning such research.
Diatranz says it is being targeted.
"An extraordinary vendetta-like situation has arisen where people are out to ensure Diatranz does not progress to clinical trials," Elliott says.
Diatranz is in the process of appealing a decision prohibiting its research, but Elliott says the new bill effectively makes the appeal pointless.
However, the Health Minister says the bill is a safety net.
"Until we have made some real definitive decisions around xenotransplantation in New Zealand, this is a holding pattern and enables the public to have an input," Annette King said.
But Elliott believes King has interfered personally in attempts to get human trials conducted in the Cook Islands.
The Cooks has delayed its decision after talking to the New Zealand health minister.
"Yes, I think there has been direct political interference," Elliott said.
But King says the Cook Islands came to the decision without her foreknowledge.
"Certainly I did not coerce them into that," King said.
Diatranz has support from the opposition.
The National Party describes the new bill as a constitutional outrage.
The bill is due to go before parliament at the end of next month.
