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Professor Peter Gunning, from the School of Medical Sciences, told ABC Radio National that lifting the ban was vital for research to move forward.

Professor Gunning said the difference between embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells is significant. A transcript of the interview appeared on ABC Online.

"It's as simple as saying that an embryonic stem cell …is unlimited in terms of its capacity. It can grow into any type of specialised cell," he said.

"Adult stem cells … are specialised so you've got muscle stem cells that repair your muscles when you're damaged, you've got specific brain stem cells in the brain associated with repair.

"An adult stem cell … can't turn into any kind of tissue. You're losing huge opportunity by rejecting embryonic stem cells.

"At this point in time it's a potential that hasn't been fully realised because of the [US] restriction,” he said.

Professor Gunning said the US ban on embryonic stem cell research had an obvious effect on the research capacity for the rest of the world.

"Research today is a community effort so it's researchers throughout the world who essentially feed off each other's work to take research forward," he said.

Professor Gunning said US researchers had been trying to work around the legislation but now the ban has been lifted they will be able to more formally direct their work.

Professor Gunning’s own research breakthrough, which was reported last week, focuses on using adult stem cells to rebuild muscle from scratch.

The breakthrough could offer new hope to people with muscle-wasting diseases such as myopathy and muscular dystrophy, he said.

For the complete transcript of the interview visit ABC Online.

Media Contact: Steve Offner | 9385 8107 | | Media & Communications Unit