Following backing from MEPs in Strasbourg yesterday, some researchers are likely to get EU funding for research on embryonic stem cells over the next seven years. However, the union will insist on a case-by-case review of such projects.
While only a small share of EU funding for 2007-2013 is earmarked for stem cell research, the issue has overshadowed negotiations on the €51 billion EU research budget for months.
In their first vote on the funding issue, MEPs agreed that EU cash could be used for research into human stem cells, both adult and embryonic, depending on the content of each scientific proposal. But strict conditions will continue to apply to the use of human embryonic cells, they agreed. Each project will be required to show that the research could not be conducted with adult stem cells such as those extracted from bone marrow.
A majority of EU governments favour continuing this approach.
The parliament's main political groups mostly supported the EU continuing its cautious case-by-case approach to stem cell research, smoothing the way for an approval of the draft research budget.
"Stem cell research offers the only hope for millions of people suffering from devastating diseases like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and cancer," said British Labour MEP Gary Titley. "Though the research is controversial, we can be confident that Europe has the most sophisticated system on ethics and research established in any public institution."
Most of the Republic's 13 MEPs are opposed to the use of EU cash to fund research using human embryonic stem cells. Fianna Fáil MEPs voted against any such funds.
Fianna Fáil MEP Liam Aylward said he was disappointed by yesterday's vote.
"My particular concerns are in relation to the right of individual member states to control the research that is carried out in their countries as well as guaranteeing the utmost respect for the sanctity of human life and the dignity of the human being," he said in a statement.
Fine Gael MEP Simon Coveney said he also opposed the use of funding to support this type of research but voted for a compromise amendment that would enable funding to be used to undertake research on stem cells taken pre-2003 but to prevent funding for new research on future embyronic stem cells.
"I felt that was a position I could live with because it would mean that no stem cells would be taken from new embryos," said Mr Coveney. The amendment was narrowly defeated, leaving open the possibility for funding.
Labour MEP Proinsias De Rossa and Fine Gael MEP Avril Doyle both voted in favour of funding for stem cell research. - (additional reporting: PA)