Est. 2min 27-07-2006 (updated: 05-11-2012 ) benoitxvi.jpg Euractiv is part of the Trust Project >>> Languages: Français | DeutschPrint Email Facebook X LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram As US President Bush bans federal funding for embryonic stem cell research and the EU makes the opposite move, some observers say this could create a new flow of international scientists to Europe. At the 24 July 2006 Council meeting, Austria, Lithuania, Malta, Poland and Slovakia wished to put an end to EU funding for embryonic stem cell research, whereas Germany, Italy and Slovenia changed their initial negative position after assurances that no EU money would be granted to activities causing the destruction of embryos. Some think that EU’s positive attitude towards this type of research could increase brain drain of scientists with an interest in stem cell research from the United States, where President Bush has used his veto to ban federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. However, the co-ordinator of the EuroStemCell project, Professor Austin Smith, underlines, in his interview with Cordis News, that the ban of federal funding in the US does not make embryonic stem cell research illegal in the US and that the individual States, such as California, have their own stem cell funding initiatives, and private companies are free to carry out their own research. A ban on EU funding for embryonic stem cell research would have little impact on the overall research work in Europe, as stem-cell research in the EU is financed largely from national budgets in those countries that allow it. Read more with Euractiv EU funding for stem cell research continues The EU research ministers have reached a political agreement on the FP7, backing EU funding for embryonic stem cell research. Subscribe now to our newsletter EU Elections Decoded Email Address * Politics Newsletters PositionsThe UK science minister, Lord Sainsbury, thinks that the veto of George Bush, blocking federal funding for embryonic stem cell research "has triggered the likelihood of an increasing brain drain of scientists with an interest in stem cell research". He thinks that, if the US remains on its negative position, the field of regenerative medicine will see scientists from the US and elsewhere opt for a career in Europe. However, the co-ordinator of the EuroStemCell project, Professor Austin Smith, talking to CordisNews, pointed out that President Bush's veto of the legislation does not make embryonic stem cell research illegal in the US. It simply serves to maintain the restrictions on federal funding. Many States, most notably California which has just approved a large sum for stem cell research, have launched their own stem cell funding initiatives, and private companies are free to carry out their own research. According to Professor Smith, the restrictions on federal funding affect "just NIH [National Institutes for Health] funding, and other funding streams will fill that gap". The Royal Society, UK's national science academy, finds the Council agreement disappointing as it prevents EU money from being used to extract stem cells from early human embryos that are left over from fertility treatment "and that would be destroyed anyway". Some scientists say the Council agreement, "appears to be rather irrational" as it allows funding of research but not procurement of the embryonic stem cells. EuropaBio, the European Association for Bioindustries, thinks that continuing the funding on embryonic stem cells research at European level is "a positive signal for European biotech research, which may one day offer hope for patients suffering from diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's". It also states that the FP7 "provides a boost for biotech companies to fund their innovative research in key areas such as Health, Food, Agriculture, Energy and Environment". Science and Research Commissioner Janez Poto?nik said he was grateful to the Finnish presidency for having convened the extra meeting, "which was crucial if we are to stick to our goal of adopting FP7 by the end of the year". The Finnish Minister for Trade and Industry, Mauri Pekkarinen, said that the Finnish Presidency "took a slight risk" in deciding on the organisation of an extraordinary meeting but that it was worth it. The Vatican, which was involved in active lobbying to rally Catholic opinion in a number of member states, says the EU compromise is "unacceptable for the Church." BackgroundThe research on human embryonic stem cell 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. EU member states have different positions regarding the regulation of human embryonic stem cell research, and laws in different countries reflect the different ethical, philosophical and religious beliefs. The different views on the legitimacy of such research were the main challenge in the Council's search of a political agreement on the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7) (see EURACTIV 25 July 2006). The EU's science and research ministers reached a political agreement on the (FP7) on 24 July 2006, paving the way for continued EU funding of embryonic stem cell research on a case-by-case practice. On 19 July US president Bush vetoed the use federal funding stem cell research. Timeline The Council agreement still needs to pass the European Parliament's second reading in autumn 2006. The second reading will probably take place on 29 November 2006. Further ReadingEU official documents Council:Competitiveness Council Open sessions - webstream(24 July 2006) Council:Competitiveness Council Press conference - webstream(24 July 2006) Council:Competitiveness Council Conclusions(24 July 2006) Council press release:Political obstacles cleared in the decision-making process for the EU’s Seventh Framework Programme for research(24 July 2006) EuroStemCell: European Consortium for Stem Cell ResearchRegulations in EU Member States regarding human embryonic stem cell research(February 2006) EuroStemCell: European Consortium for Stem Cell Research Governments UK's national academy of science - the Royal Society press release:European Ministers urged to respect national decisions on stem cell research(24 July 2006) Business & Industry EuropaBio press releaseMember States reach agreement on Framework Programme for Research and Innovation in Europe(24 July 2006) Press articles Guardian Unlimited:Hawking attacks EU stem cell 'fudge' Seattle Post Intelligencer:Vatican criticizes EU stem cell decision CORDIS News:EU stem cell deal receives mixed response(26 July 2006) CORDIS News:Stem cell compromise allows approval of FP7 by Council(25 July 2006) CORDIS News:Bush vetoes stem cell funding: an opportunity for Europe?(24 July 2006) Nouvel Observateur:Cellules souches : l’Union Européenne avance prudemment Le Figaro:L'Europe favorable à la recherche sur les cellules souches Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung:EU findet Kompromiß zur Stammzellenforschung Die Welt:Ruf nach Reform des Stammzellengesetzes
