Scientists press EU to free up stem cell research

Leading scientists have called on EU countries to remove political and legislative barriers to stem cell research, asking Germany and Italy in particular to drop threats of prison sentences against researchers that take part in European projects as ethical dilemmas remain concerning the status of the human embryo.

“Heterogeneity in Europe’s stem cell politics and legislation seriously hinders the advancement of stem cell research and the sharing of biomedical knowledge. Obstacles to research in some partner countries, in particular Germany and Italy, create problems for the free circulation of ideas and people in the European Research Area”, argue leading stem cell scientists in a statement sent to members of the European Parliament on 27 July 2007.

The scientists, from the two major European-funded stem cell research consortia EuroStemCell and ESTOOLS, deplore that research projects that are perfectly legal in Sweden and the UK can result in a three-year prison sentence in Germany and that researchers from countries with very restrictive legislation might also become liable by taking on a position of responsibility in European projects. 

“This incongruency creates a plethora of problems for international collaboration. Despite common funding by the 6th and 7th framework of the European Commission, scientists within Europe cannot freely exchange personnel and cell lines”, said the coordinator of the ESTOOLS consortium, Professor Peter Andrews. 

The scientists are calling for the harmonisation of current laws in the hope that their European counterparts are able to collaborate on international projects without fear of legal reprisal. The scientists also outline a series of specific requests to the governments of Italy and Germany.

Research on human embryonic stem cells is considered vital for finding cures and treatments for diseases such as diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, which are on the rise in Europe’s ageing population. However, EU member states have different positions regarding the regulation of human embryonic stem cell research, and laws in different countries reflect their different ethical, philosophical and religious beliefs.

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