PREMIER Ewart Brown is facing an unavoidable conflict of interest through his involvement in the island's first stem cell research centre on the island, according to the Opposition United Bermuda Party.

On Wednesday the Brown-Darrell Clinic – set up by Dr. Brown, his wife Wanda, and medical company Stemedica – announced that it will encourage new legislation to implement operational guidelines for research using stem cells.

But yesterday Shadow Health Minister Louise Jackson said that, as Premier, Dr. Brown plays a key role in the development of health legislation – and could therefore play a role in shaping regulations governing his own business. Yesterday, Mrs. Jackson said: "The statement issued by the Brown-Darrell Clinic that they will 'encourage' new stem cell legislation to regulate their operations raises serious concerns about conflict of interest and sincerity of purpose.

"Our concern about conflict of interest is with the Premier, who exerts a powerful influence on health policy, having a say in the formation of legislation governing his own private interests. The statement by the Brown-Darrell Clinic does not acknowledge this unavoidable conflict should Dr. Brown initiate such legislation."

Mrs. Jackson also questioned if Dr. Brown was genuinely sincere in his call for legislation.

She pointed out that the clinic's statement was made just hours after the Foreign & Commonwealth Office expressed concerns that stem cell research could go ahead on the island without a regulatory framework in place. The FCO became aware of the situation earlier this year after UBP leader Michael Dunkley and Mrs. Jackson contacted Whitehall expressing their own concerns.

"Brown-Darrell issued yesterday's statement only after the FCO acknowledged that Bermuda should first set up a regulatory framework before allowing the establishment of stem cell research and treatment facilities," Mrs. Jackson said.

"The fact is that the United Bermuda Party, not Brown-Darrell nor the Government of Bermuda, pushed the need for regulatory oversight to the forefront of this issue. Indeed, the Health Minister Michael Scott has been missing in action from the discussion, as evidenced yesterday by his Ministry's refusal to comment on the issue.

"We are concerned the Government does not have a position on this important matter. There is obviously no commitment from Government to putting in place a proper regulatory environment before the Brown-Darrell Clinic is in place.

"To reiterate, the United Bermuda Party took a strong position on this issue because we are concerned about patient protection and the reputation of Bermuda. We must be very careful Bermuda is not seen as a jurisdiction that allows unregulated medical research on human beings.

"Consequently, we believe that no license or permit should be issued for the proposed clinic until the many serious and outstanding issues can be satisfactorily addressed and resolved by credible independent authorities."

Dr. Brown unveiled plans for the new research and treatment centre in June. It is scheduled to open in Smith's early next year.