Stem cell work at the Brown-Darrell Clinic appears to be no closer to happening after Bermuda was dropped from a list of research centres on Stemedica's website.

And the Ministry of Health is refusing to say whether Stemedica's self-imposed condition — that regulatory approval of stem cell work is granted from an oversight committee — has been or will be met on the Island.

Since last year, California-based Stemedica had been stating that stem cell research at Brown-Darrell — a partnership between Stemedica, Premier Ewart Brown and wife Wanda at Winterhaven in Smith's — would begin in early 2008.

Following a relaunch of the firm's website earlier this month, Bermuda was listed alongside Switzerland, Korea, Mexico and Russia as a centre for cell manufacturing and master banking.

However, when The Royal Gazette asked what this meant, Stemedica vice president Dave McGuigan said Bermuda had been added as an "oversight."

And Mr. McGuigan said no cell manufacturing or master banking was taking place on the Island. Shortly afterwards, the reference to Bermuda was removed.

Mr. McGuigan failed to respond when asked when the stem cell side of the operation at Brown-Darrell would open.

The new-look website also lists the conditions under which its clinical research centres operate. These include "secured approval from hospital/institution oversight committees" and "received regulatory approval in their country to conduct stem cell therapy".

International doctors have previously spoken out about Bermuda's lack of stem cell legislation. In countries such as the US, UK and Canada, the practice is heavily monitored and legislated. George Daley, president of the International Society for Stem Cell Research, says he is very sceptical of anyone running experimental treatment in jurisdictions where there is no regulatory oversight.

Brown-Darrell has pledged to 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 opening the stem cell side of its operation until such legislation is in place.

Throughout the past year or so, the Ministry of Health has repeatedly refused to answer when asked whether stem cell legislation will be introduced in Bermuda.

The last word from Government was in January from Health Minister Nelson Bascome, who said nothing had come across his desk.

Over the past two weeks, Mr. Bascome, two Ministry of Health press officers and Permanent Secretary Warren Jones have ignored a number of requests as to whether Stemedica's regulation requirements are met and whether the Ministry is putting together any legislation covering stem cells.