|
Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have voted to impose severe restrictions on the use of stem cells taken from human embryos. The vote, which took place this morning (April 10), also called for an outright ban on cloning for human reproduction.
Although they stopped short of demanding a total ban on the use of embryonic stem cells, MEPs imposed a range of tough restrictions that are expected to make it very difficult for scientists to justify their use.
But the decision must be approved by the 15 member states of the European Union before it can become law. It has already been criticised by the British Labour Party's environment spokesman in the European Parliament, David Bowe, who said he was "annoyed" at the move. "There is no moral consensus in Europe on this and it really should be left to individual member states to decide," Bowe told the BBC.
Currently, the use of embryonic stem cells in research is legal in the UK. But across other EU states rules vary. Belgium has no specific regulations, for example, whereas Italy has effectively banned their use.
Opponents claim it is unethical to use embryos as a source of stem cells, as they represent the first stages of human life. But many scientists believe embryonic stem cells may be a more potent source of treatment for diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's than cells taken from adult bone marrow.
The Royal Society, which had urged MEPs to reject the restrictions, has called for individual member states to decide their own policies as a Europe-wide consensus seems unlikely.
Bowe has pledged to fight the ban and told the BBC he is confident it will be defeated when the legislation is considered again by MEPs later this year.
References
|
Register for FREE Online Access
Subscribe to the Magazine