Stem-cell breakthrough to end ethical objection to embryo research?[fr][de] 

A US biotech company, Advanced Cell Technology, announced  on 23 August 2006 that its scientists have found a ground-breaking technique for growing human stem cells from an early human embryo without destroying it.

Supporting embryonic stem-cell research with EU money has been mired in controversy, due to ethical concerns linked with the destruction of embryos, in the Parliament and Council discussions on the Commission's proposal for FP7. It was finally backed by both in the first reading. The anonunced breakthrough in embryonic stem-cell research may provide more support for this type of research before the second reading.

The new technique, consisting of removing one of the eight cells of a three-day-old embryo instead of destroying a five-day-old embryo with about 150 cells, has however been criticised due to lack of medical evidence as to whether a foetus missing one cell will develop into a normal child. In addition, the new method would mean that parents would have to give their ethical consent for the donation of one cell. 

Embryonic stem cells can grow into any type of tissue in the body. Researchers therefore hope to use them to generate new brain cells, veins, bones, even entire organs and to find cures for diseases such as Parkinson's, cancer or diabetes.