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European Union Approves Stem Cell Research Funds By Mike Wendling CNSNews.com London Bureau Chief July 10, 2003 London (CNSNews.com) - European Union leaders have re-opened a divisive ethical debate by approving in principal the funding of embryonic stem cell research projects. Pro-life groups oppose embryo experiments, while many scientists and biotechnology companies are in favor of freeing up E.U. research funds. The proposals are expected to come under fire by several countries that restrict or ban stem cell research, including Ireland, Italy, Austria, Spain, Portugal, France and Germany. The decision was announced Wednesday by the European Commission, the E.U.'s executive branch. All 15 E.U. nations must agree before the proposals are adopted. An E.U. moratorium on funding stem cell experiments runs out at the end of this year, and ministers have said they want new guidelines in place by then. The plans are part of the E.U.'s 6th Research Framework Program, rules that will govern funding until 2006. Under the proposed stem cell regulations, scientists will only get money from the European Union if they use embryos created by in vitro fertilization before June 27, 2002, the day the 6th Research Framework took effect. "By funding this research and by setting strict ethical rules for such funding, the E.U. contributes in a responsible way to advancing this science for the benefit of patients across the world, while at the same time ensuring that it takes place within a clear ethical framework," said E.U. Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin. The commission tried to come to a compromise by promising not to fund any research that would violate local laws within those countries that limit stem cell experiments. But the research money will come out of a 17.5 billion euro ($20 billion) scientific fund that is contributed to by all E.U. nations. Busquin told reporters that the E.U. had received requests for funding totaling "tens of millions" of euros. Stem cells have the ability to form different types of specialized cells, and scientists believe they could help treat a wide range of ailments. But pro-life activists say adult stem cells have shown more potential for curing diseases and don't have the ethical baggage connected with embryonic stem cells. In Britain, scientists licensed by the Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority are allowed to cull stem cells from embryos not more than 14 days old. Anthony Ozimic, political spokesman for the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC), condemned the announcement. "The European Commission's decision undermines the freedom of nations to defend the right to life, in particular the right to life of newly-conceived embryonic children, the smallest and most vulnerable members of the human race," he said. "Why is all this money being given to embryo research when over the last 20 years, such experiments haven't produced any cures or treatments?" he added. In August 2001, the Bush administration cut off federal funding to embryonic stem cell research projects but made an exception for stem cell lines already in existence at the time. "That would be a better situation than what the European Commission is currently proposing," Ozimic said. But the SPUC still has reservations about the Bush plan, he said. At the time of the president's announcement, the SPUC warned that allowing experiments on extant stem cell lines might increase the market value of such lines, which would send the wrong message to the scientific community. The group also warned that privately funded researchers could create new stem cell lines that could then be used in government-funded research. The U.K. BioIndustry Association, which represents biotechnology companies, welcomed the E.U. decision. "This is an important and welcome step that will encourage development in this field across the E.U.," said BIA Chief Executive Aisling Burnand. "Embryonic stem cell research is necessary for the full therapeutic potential of both adult and embryonic stem cells to be realized," he said in a statement. A spokeswoman for the BIA said that it's "far too early to close off one avenue of research." "We think this research is very important ... it's early days and it's not the right time to say that one type stem cell research shows promise while the other type does not," she said. SOURCE: Cybercast News Service http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewForeignBureaus.asp?Page=%5CForeignBureaus%5Carchive%5C200307%5CFOR20030710c.html * * * REFERENCE: April 25, 2003 Stem cell funding ban debated European Commission consults on human embryonic stem cell funding. http://www.biomedcentral.com/news/20030425/05 Life-saving cancer trials face EU block http://politics.guardian.co.uk/eu/story/0,9061,992363,00.html EU split over stem cell research http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3055103.stm Commission makes the case for EU funded embryonic stem cell research http://www.eubusiness.com/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=114586&d=1&h=240&f=56&dateformat=%25o%20%25B%20%25Y * * * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn