Green light for stem cell research

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 19th Nov 2003

A bid to block controversial European funding for medical research that could identify cures for illnesses such as Alzheimer's, cancer, diabetes and Parkinson's Disease has been defeated in the European Parliament.

London Liberal Democrat Euro-MP Sarah Ludford has welcomed the result. She claims the research brings a glimmer of hope to millions of patients.

Sarah Ludford MEP said:

"I welcome the end of the EU moratorium on funding stem cell research at the end of this year. This vital research could provide us with the answers to debilitating illnesses which devastate the lives of thousands of sufferers and their families.

"This legislation will guarantee a high level of protection in the area of quality and safety of human tissues and cells research, whilst allowing each Member State to take its own ethical decisions.

"Those who have opposed this measure on religious grounds should reflect on the wisdom of imposing their ethical views on the rest of Europe. This forces nothing upon national Governments, but gives them the freedom to make their own choices in this complex area. Religion should play no role in inhibiting such policy making freedom."

Notes

The right of Member States to decide what types of research should be allowed in their countries will be unaffected, for example, in the UK it will continue to be legal to harvest stem cells from frozen embryos created for IVF treatments.

Donors will not be allowed to receive any material benefit in return for donation of embryos.