Fed: Howard says all clear for $43.5m stemcell research grant

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Fed: Howard says all clear for $43.5m stemcell research grant

An independent investigation has cleared a $43.5 million federal grant to controversialstem cell researcher Professor ALAN TROUNSON.

Professor TROUNSON's National Stem Cell Centre won the five year grant in May afterit was selected from 11 applicants to set up Australia's first Biotechnology Centre ofExcellence.

But in August, Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD asked Allen Consulting Group chairman GEOFFALLEN to investigate the integrity of the process of awarding the grant.

Mr HOWARD says Mr ALLEN's concluded that the process used in selecting the NSCC representsthe high end -- or even marks new standards -- of best practice in the integrity of suchprocesses.

Mr HOWARD's accepted Mr ALLEN's recommendation that the grant proceed.

The report was commissioned after opponents of stem cell research accused ProfessorTROUNSON of misleading federal MPs during a heated and divisive parliamentary debate onlegislation to allow the research.

AAP RTV toc/rp

KEYWORD: STEMCELL (CANBERRA)