EU mulls stem cell research ban

[tritsofme]

European Union ministers are due to meet in Brussels to decide whether to ban funding for human embryonic stem cell research.
A minority of EU countries oppose such research, but scientists say the cells are the key to treating diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Last week US President George W Bush used his veto for the first time to limit federal funding for the research. He is against the use of public funds for research which destroys embryos.

Stem cells are able to turn themselves into any other type of cell in the body, and it is hoped therefore that they can be used to repair parts of the body or develop new drugs.

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5209106.stm

This is very disturbing, after Bush's veto, I thought a more cosmopolitan Europe would pick up the slack in a very important area of scientific advance.

It seems the whole world is moving backwards these days.

[Hissyspit]

1. Oh, good grief...

Is the whole world NUTS??

[Olney Blue]

2. The EU won't ban it, and will try to compensate for our ignorant policy.

[bennywhale]

3. We definetely won't ban it. This will continue. The opponents

of it are some predominantly Roman Catholic countries who need to be seen to be concerned and the Germans who are still affected by the Nazi experiments of the 30s and 40s, i would be shocked if this was banned.

[w4rma]

4. The EU banning stem cell research funding is wishful thinking by whackjob

conservatives. Probably well over 2/3s of the EU support stem cell research. And they want to eat America's lunch on it.

[rodeodance]

5. whow. this is the last thing I expected from teh EU!