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Statement from the European Life Sciences Group
December 19, 2001The promises and concerns engendered by stem cell research triggered debate world-wide. European citizens realise the significance of these issues and expect guidance to deal with them. The European Life Sciences Group thanks the European Commission and the European Commissioner for Research, Philippe Busquin, for arranging such a stimulating meeting on "Stem cells: Therapies for the Future?" and thereby contributing to the ongoing European dialogue on this subject.
The current research on human stem cells, either from differentiated tissue or from embryos, is scientifically sound and medically promising and should be actively developed and supported. Although the use of human stem cells in regenerative medicine is still at an early stage of development, it has the potential to deliver real progress in the treatment of various severe diseases.
The Group agrees that:
* The EU should continue to support research with all sources of human stem cells, including human embryonic stem cells.
* Reproductive cloning should be prohibited.
* Derivation of human embryonic stem cells from nuclear transplants (so-called therapeutic cloning) has not been achieved and appears to raise considerable difficulties. Research into additional strategies to overcome immune rejection is therefore to be strongly encouraged.
* Although the Group respects the special moral status of the human embryo even prior to implantation, it agrees on the use of spare human embryos for the preparation of embryonic stem cell lines. Research on human embryonic stem cells should be carefully regulated, peer reviewed, scientifically sound, directed towards substantial goals and ethically controlled.
* Publicly and privately funded research should be subject to the same regulations.
* A European registry of human embryonic stem cell lines should be established.
In summary, the Group considers that research on human stem cells offers valuable venues into developmental biology and medicine which could revolutionise therapy perhaps on a scale comparable to the introduction of antibiotics.
European Commission, Research Directorate
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