July 24, 2006

scientist responds to European Union’s announcement on the funding of Stem Cell research

Following speculation that the EU regulations might change to disallow research using Human Embryonic Stem cells, Professor Robin Lovell-Badge commented on what this could mean for the future of work on incurable disease.

Professor Robin Lovell-Badge of the MRC National Institute for Medical Research, said:

“As was concluded by the Hinxton Group at their meeting earlier this year, while scientists have a duty to follow laws, Regulators have a duty to make such laws both clear and rational. It is a little hard to understand what the latest EU decision means, especially as it appears to be rather irrational: Human Embryonic Stem cell research will continue to be funded by the EU, but not the derivation of the cells, which needs to be carried out using local funding (government or private) within the individual countries that permit this, such as the UK. So the EU can claim all the benefits from the research, but without funding the work with embryos that is necessary to start it all off. At least this is consistent with the irrational and perhaps immoral stance on IVF (in vitro fertilisation) in some of the countries whose politicians find the work contentious. For example, IVF is routinely practiced in Germany, even though this country bans the research that made it possible, and which is still necessary to make it safer and more efficient.

“Bush also reinforced his similar irrational position last week, when he used his veto to overturn the democratic vote of the House and Senate (with the support of more than 70% of the US population), which would have allowed federal funding to derive and work with new human Embryonic Stem cell lines. Irrational also as it does not stop anyone with private funds from doing whatever they like.

“We need to do research on human Embryonic Stem cells, employing the best minds and facilities wherever they may be, whether in Germany or Italy, Spain or the UK. It is only then that we will be able to define whether and in what way the cells will be useful for studying and curing disease. There is no logic in putting any barriers in place that will delay this.”