EU to continue funding stem cell research

3.23.15pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 15th Jun 2006

London's Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford has welcomed the vote by the European Parliament to continue allowing EU research funds to support embryonic as well as adult human stem cell research.

Baroness Ludford said:

"Scientific and medical researchers in London who are global leaders in this field will be encouraged by the availability of a share of £50 billion worth of European funding."

"This satisfactory outcome whereby research can be funded by European taxpayers into new medical treatments which could save lives meets the wishes of over 80% of EU citizens."

"Countries which for religious or ethical reasons object to such research are entitled to refuse the funding. But this compromise means they do not have a veto over such funding going to researchers in eg the UK."

Opponents of embryonic stem cell research had tried to outlaw any EU funding anywhere in the EU for such research, on the grounds that it is not permitted in some EU states.

But a compromise prevailed whereby the research can be funded as long as such activities are properly licensed and controlled with strong ethical safeguards in place, and the embryonic stem cells are derived from embryos left over from in-vitro fertilisation rather than newly created such as through therapeutic cloning.

Note to editors

There is an absolute ban on funding any research on human reproductive cloning.