Premier Ewart Brown yesterday said a lab manager post for Bermuda's new adult stem cell clinic would be advertised on the Island.

His comments came after The Royal Gazette revealed how California-based Stemedica had placed the position on a Canadian jobs website without first advertising in Bermuda — meaning any resulting appointment would break strict work permit rules laid out by Government.

Dr. Brown — who together with wife Wanda and Stemedica forms the Brown-Darrell Clinic partnership — yesterday said: "What Stemedica does and what Brown-Darrell does are two different things. Brown-Darrell has not advertised for anyone for the clinic. When we are ready we will advertise and then Stemedica will submit their candidate and we will compare the two."

Stemedica's advert, on Jobpostcanada.com, is for a "full-time lab manager in Bermuda".

It states: "The job will be conducted from the Brown-Darrell Clinic, a world class research facility located in Smith's Parish, Bermuda."

The advert continues: "Position is to begin on or before December 1, 2007, and requires full-time residency in Bermuda."

We asked the Premier: "Are you saying Brown-Darrell will advertise for someone at the clinic, then select the right candidate, then compare that candidate with Stemedica's chosen candidate to select the best one, then get a work permit for that person — and then start work on or before December 1 (this Saturday)?"

He replied: "Nothing in the Stemedica ad said that the advertised job would begin in Bermuda by December 1 and it will not.

"The press has mistakenly focused on the date, which has made them reach mistaken conclusions as to when a posted job might actually begin in Bermuda.

"As any other Bermudian company does utilizing regular, standard processes, Brown-Darrell will comply with all immigration and other laws when the time comes for hiring any persons in Bermuda."

Asked if Brown-Darrell would be following the normal process for advertising, he said: "Yes, every time.

"I have been in the medical business for almost 35 years, 15 in Bermuda, and we understand the immigration process, we know when we have to advertise and the conditions that prevail so we are very clear on it.

"Stemedica has a right to advertise wherever and whenever it wishes but, when the Bermuda guidelines are in effect, that's when Brown-Darrell will show we will do what we have always done, that is respect the laws of the country."

Earlier this week, Shadow Immigration Minister Trevor Moniz accused Stemedica of ignoring regulations which ensure Bermudians come first for job opportunities.

The Ministry of Labour and Immigration yesterday confirmed it would not be commenting on the matter.

In recent weeks, international doctors have commented about Bermuda's lack of stem cell legislations, with International Society for Stem Cell Research president George Daley saying he was very sceptical of anyone running experimental treatment in jurisdictions where there is no regulatory oversight.

The Brown-Darrell Clinic, due to open in the New Year, has said it would welcome and encourage legislation consistent with the international protocol practised by countries engaged in stem cell research.

However, it has repeatedly failed to respond when asked if it will postpone its opening until such legislation is in place.

The Jobpostcanada.com advert refers to Stemedica as an emerging specialty biopharmaceutical company which develops and manufactures best-in-class adult stem cell products.

It says responsibilities of the lab manager include managing the import of adult stem cells and other medically-oriented supplies from multiple international locations.