Green light for stem cell research in Switzerland

A large majority of Swiss voters have approved a law allowing the
extraction of stem cells from human embryos up to seven days old to
be used for research. Only the use of cells left over from in-vitro
fertilisation is allowed.

The law on stem cell research was approved by the Swiss
parliament in December 2003. However, the Green Party and
anti-abortion groups managed to gather enough signatures to force a
referendum on the issue. Some 66.4 per cent of the Swiss voters,
who were called to vote on 28 November 2004, said ‘yes’. 

The approved law is stricter than the original one approved in
December 2003, as it does not allow the creation of embryos
via therapeutic cloning. The new law will enter into force in March
2005.

In Europe, the Netherlands, France, Denmark and Spain already
permit stem cell research on embryos left over from artificial
reproduction. Austria, and more recently Germany, only allow
research on imported cells.

The Bush administration has put severe limitations on stem cell
research. However, California recently approved a
three billion dollar spend on the establishment of a
California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.

Read more with Euractiv

Council gives its view on the future of European research

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