Researchers urge EU not to cut stem cell funding
Source: Agencies |
June 16, 2012, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
LEADING scientists, biomedical research bodies and patient groups urged the European Parliament yesterday to maintain vital European Union funding for studies using embryonic stem cells.
Hailing the field as "one of the most exciting and promising" in modern biomedical research, the group said they feared research grants currently under review may be under threat from pro-life European parliamentarians who say public funds should not be spent on embryonic stem cell work.
"(EU) Commission funding must be available to continue to support scientists investigating all types of stem cells - including human embryonic stem cells - with potential to make advances in regenerative medicine," they wrote in an open letter released by the Wellcome Trust, a charitable health foundation.
The European Parliament is debating the future outline of Horizon 2020, the EU's program for research and innovation from 2014 to 2020.
Draft rules provide for stem cell research funding, including embryonic stem cells but some member states have been lobbying for embryonic stem cell research to be excluded.
Many scientists believe stem cell research has the potential to lead to the development of treatments for a whole host of diseases including incurable neurodegenerative illnesses such as Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis.
Europe, particularly Britain, is considered a world leader in stem cell research.
The letter was signed by the Association of Medical Research Charities, the British Heart Foundation, the European Genetic Alliances' Network, Britain's Medical Research Council, the charity Parkinson's UK and Wellcome Trust.
Hailing the field as "one of the most exciting and promising" in modern biomedical research, the group said they feared research grants currently under review may be under threat from pro-life European parliamentarians who say public funds should not be spent on embryonic stem cell work.
"(EU) Commission funding must be available to continue to support scientists investigating all types of stem cells - including human embryonic stem cells - with potential to make advances in regenerative medicine," they wrote in an open letter released by the Wellcome Trust, a charitable health foundation.
The European Parliament is debating the future outline of Horizon 2020, the EU's program for research and innovation from 2014 to 2020.
Draft rules provide for stem cell research funding, including embryonic stem cells but some member states have been lobbying for embryonic stem cell research to be excluded.
Many scientists believe stem cell research has the potential to lead to the development of treatments for a whole host of diseases including incurable neurodegenerative illnesses such as Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis.
Europe, particularly Britain, is considered a world leader in stem cell research.
The letter was signed by the Association of Medical Research Charities, the British Heart Foundation, the European Genetic Alliances' Network, Britain's Medical Research Council, the charity Parkinson's UK and Wellcome Trust.
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