More delays on EU stem cell plans

Date: 03/07/03

By Karen Carstens

EUROPEAN Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin was forced to accept a further delay in releasing a plan on EU funds for embryonic stem cell research amid disagreement on the controversial practice among his fellow commissioners.

Talks on Tuesday (1 July), when Busquin was hoping to put forward the proposal, hit upon too many ethical quandaries, so the funding blueprint will now not emerge before next Wednesday (9 July) at the earliest.

Concerns were expressed over a section of the proposal dealing with safeguards, including informed consent, protection of data, avoiding financial gain from the sale of embryos and open access to research results. Particular concern has been voiced over the creation of human embryos specifically for stem cell research.

However, Busquin reportedly had ample opportunity to outline his point of view and win several of his colleagues over.

Funding for stem cell research was purposely left out of the EU's five-year Sixth Framework Programme (FP6), launched last autumn, because the issue is so controversial.

While countries such as Germany and Italy strictly oppose it, on ethical grounds, the UK would like to acquire funds to conduct research that many scientists say could save sufferers of degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's Disease.

A European Commission proposal on EU funds for embryonic stem cell research has been delayed after Commissioners failed to reach agreement on the issue on 1 July 2003.