European Commission publishes background paper on stem cell research 16/4/03. By the Public Health Genetics Unit New overview of the key features of stem cell biology and their potential therapeutic use, and a survey of current legislation in EU countries.

Because of heated controversy within the European Union over the ethics of embryonic stem cell research, the European Commission made an interim decision, in implementing the 6th Framework Programme for Research, not to fund any research involving the use of human embryos or human embryonic stem cells except where the project involved cells that had already been banked or cultured.

A final decision about the ethical boundaries of EU-funded research in this field is to be made by December 2003.

In preparation, the Commission has published a background report on stem cells that is designed to form a basis for discussion at an 'inter-institutional seminar' on bioethics to be held on 24 April. The report outlines key features of stem cell biology and their potential therapeutic use. It also summarises the views of bodies such as the European Group on Ethics in Sciences and New Technologies on the ethical governance of stem cell research and includes a very useful survey of current legislation both in current EU member countries and in the countries set to join the EU within the next few years.

It is clear that both attitudes and legislation on stem cells are in a state of flux, with some European countries settled on a very restrictive approach (for example Germany and Ireland), while others are moving towards allowing derivation of stem cells from 'left over' IVF embryos that would otherwise be destroyed (for example, Belgium, Denmark, France and Spain).

European Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin says "Regulating on ethical matters is the competence of Member States. In Europe, we have a legitimate diversity of rules and ethical frameworks in the field of human embryonic stem cell research". It remains to be seen whether this approach will lead to the relaxing of restrictions on the types of stem cell research eligible for EU funding.

It appears, in any case, that the European Parliament is not inclined to respect diversity of ethical views within the EU, with the recent passage of a draft directive that explicitly bans the most controversial aspects of stem cell research. Clearly, it is proving difficult for the EU to reach consensus on which ethical principles should apply across the EU, and which should be a matter for decision by individual member states.

Article courtesy of the Public Health Genetics Unit .

Photo credit: Yorgos Nikas