Germany liberalizes stem cell research
Published: 11 Apr 08 12:19 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal
The German parliament the Bundestag voted on Friday morning to
liberalize controversial stem cell research.
Until now, researchers were only allowed to use stem cells acquired
from abroad before January 1, 2002. Now scientists will be allowed to
access cells collected before May 1, 2007.
Many scientists support the liberalization because they say older
cells are inadequate for cutting edge research. German Chancellor
Angela Merkel, a physicist by training, has also backed the
legislation changing the cell harvest date.
Stem cell research has given rise to heated debate in Germany because
of sensitivity to eugenics experiments carried out by the Nazis
during the Second World War. The Catholic church opposes stem cell
research and warned the government not to change the cut-off date.
Director of the Max Planck Institute for molecular biomedicine Hans
Schöler told news agency DPA he was happy with the vote. "Of course a
total abolishment of the cut-off date would have been wonderful, but
to put it pragmatically, now we can continue working," said Schöler,
who plans to apply for the newly available stem cells right away.
But Archbishop Robert Zollitsch, head of German Catholics, said
that "killing embryos will never be justifiable.
by Norbert Lammert, the president of the Bundestag, or lower chamber
of parliament, who said: "There are limits, even for research."
President of the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK) Hans
Joachim Meyer said in a statement on Friday that he was deeply
disappointed with the decision.
"We warned of this decision because we believe it is not justified,
and sends the wrong message in light of the preservation of life in
the field of biomedical research," Meyer said. "Now it's time for us
to make sure the cut-off date ruling doesn't become a 'shifting sand
dune,' because it will increase the lust for using human embryos for
general research purposes."
dpa/afp
http://www.thelocal
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Children's Neurobiological Solutions
http://www.CNSfoundation.org/
Cord Blood Registry
http://www.CordBlood.com/at.cgi?a=150123
The CNS Healing Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CNS_Healing
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