Bernat Soria Escoms, Spain’s Health Minister a Leader in Stem Cell Research. (September 14, 2007)

Bernat Soria Escoms was Director of the Andalusian Center for Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine in Seville until Spain's President, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, asked him to take over Spain's Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs. Spain's Tony Abbott you might say except his qualifications are somewhat different.

The ministry controls much of Spain's A$2.4 billion biomedical research budget.

Recently Science put the following three questions to him:

Q: You have said you were surprised by the job offer. Was it a hard decision?

Yes, but if you say no, you can never again criticize the government.

Q: Do you miss your lab?
The Council of Ministers meeting ends at noon on Friday [in Madrid], and I then take the fast train to Seville. I am in the lab Friday afternoon and evening and on Saturday. If the minister of culture goes to exhibitions and the theater [to stay current in the arts], I can go to the lab.

Q: When will stem cell research have a measurable impact on doctors and patients in Spain?
Very soon, if you consider stem cells as a broad concept including adult stem cells. In the coming weeks, I will announce a program for clinical research on cell therapies for 12 diseases, including complications from diabetes, cardiopathy, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and muscular dystrophy. For embryonic stem cells, we are still at the level of basic research.

        When will one or more of Australia's leading active researchers get a tap on the shoulder from one or the other of our major political parties to take a place in the outer ministry with a view to moving to an appropriate cabinet post?