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Funding for stem cell research divides EU

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Published 24 July 2006 - Updated 21 May 2007
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EU’s research ministers must decide whether EU money should be allowed to be spent on stem-cell research but ethical concerns over the status of the human embryo are causing division making the result of the meeting unsure. 

A stem cell is a primitive type of cell that can be induced to develop into most of the different types of cells found in the human body (blood cells, heart cells, brain cells, etc). 

Stem cells can be extracted from adult tissue without causing any harm to the subject, but researchers agree that adult stem cells are limited in usefulness as they are sparse and can only produce a few of the 220 human cells. 

Stem cells can also now be grown in the laboratory, which means that some research can be done using existing stem cells. However, such stem cell lines gradually degrade and become useless for research. 

The most prolific source of stem cells has been found to be human embryos. Researchers can use surplus frozen embryos left over from in-vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures at fertility clinics. 

However, research on human embryonic stem cells is controversial, as extracting its stem cells kills the embryo. Many pro-life organisations therefore consider such an act to be murder. 

Backers of research on human embryos argue that stem-cell research could allow scientists to find cures for diseases such as Parkinson’s, diabetes and heart failure. 

According to the results of a Eurobarometer survey on biotechnology and life sciences published in June 2006, a majority of European citizens are in favour of stem cell research, with 59% saying they approve such research, although most of these would prefer tighter regulation. Only 9% of the population said it does not approve stem cell research under any circumstances (See EurActiv 21 June 2006). 

Positions: 

EU research commissioner Janez Potocnik stressed his "profound respect for each personal opinion." He added that the European Commission is "convinced that, in view of the diversity of approaches existing in Europe, we can only propose a responsible, cautious and practical approach, evaluating and selecting this type of research on a case-by-case basis and excluding certain specific research areas." 

Germany  is resisting strongly. Its research minister Annette Schavan sent a letter on 20 July 2006 to the Finnish presidency stating: "The European Union science programme should not be used to give financial incentives to kill embryos," and that "the current proposal from the European Commission and the European Parliament does not rule this out." 

So far, Germany has rallied Austria, Poland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Slovakia, and Malta to its cause, totalling 87 votes within the Council, just under the 90 needed to block the deal on the table. 

Slovenia appears to be hesitant about which camp it will join and its decision will be crucial as its four votes would suffice to swing the decision either way. 

Ireland, Italy, Spain and France, where the Catholic Church is strong, have not so far opposed the current proposal. That is because the text says that national rules cannot be overridden and EU-funded stem cell research would therefore not take place in countries with bans on such research. Nevertheless, it is not excluded that any of these countries a last-minute change of heart as Germany is lobbying hard. 

Lord Martin Rees, the president of Britain’s Royal Society, has written Britain's science minister, in support of the existing arrangements which allow European funds to be spent on embryonic stem cells. He said: "Last week the United States decided to stay in the slow lane on stem cell research, hindering the global race to develop therapies that could benefit millions of people, … It now appears that some countries wish to force the EU as well into the slow lane." 

Following his refusal to sign a proposal to allow US federal funds to be spent on embryonic stem-cell research, President Bush said "It crosses a moral boundary that our decent society needs to respect, so I vetoed it". 

Next steps: 
  • 29 June 2006: Commission presented its amended proposal to the Council and EP
  • 24 July 2006: Meeting of Competitiveness Council
  • Parliament's second reading will probably take place on 29 November 2006. 
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Background: 

Following Parliament's amendments, the Commission, on 29 June 2006, tabled a revised proposal for the EU's research programme for 2007-2013 (see EurActiv 29 June 2006). 

European science ministers will be meeting in Brussels on 24 July 2006 to discuss whether to give the green light to this seventh research funding package, worth 54.5 billion euro, but key to the debate will be the decision to allow EU financing for research on stem cells. 

The current research proposal would allow the funding of stem cell-based projects on a case-by-case basis, after screening by both national and EU ethical committees. 

However, Germany is leading a group of member States which say this is not tolerable and that no EU money whatsoever should be spent on research which is actually forbidden in some Member States. 

In a parallel development in the US, on 19 July, President George Bush used his veto against a bill approved by Congress which would have allowed US federal funds to be spent on research into embryonic stem cells. 

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