Britain aims to consolidate its position as a world leader in stem cell research with the establishment of a new national network for investigating the therapeutic benefits of the “master” cells.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown said Wednesday the network would be set up under a 10-year development plan.

The British government allocated $76.94 million to stem cell research over three years in the 2002 spending review and the Wellcome Trust medical charity has committed a further 20 million.

Supporters say stem cell research could transform medicine by providing ways to replace diseased tissue and treat or cure cancer, Heart Disease, Alzheimer’s and Diabetes.

However, using stem cells from early human embryos - one of several potential sources - is controversial, with opponents arguing it is unethical to destroy a human embryo.