European Parliament debate on embryonic stem cell research funding:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
A lively debate has taken place at the European Parliament on the question of whether stem-cell research should be financed through EU funding. While there are still huge differences of opinion between the MEPs, the scientists and member states, the aim is to achieve an eventual compromise on many of the issues. The European Commission hopes to draw up a proposal for establishing guidelines for deciding on EU funding of research projects involving the use of human embryos and human embryonic stem cells. The EP'sdiscussion is pivotal to the future of medicine: if stem cells can cure some diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (where there has been great success in trials with mice), there will be a significant shift in the need for other interventions and treatments for such diseases in the future.