UK charity raises ethical concerns about funding stem cell research and the impact it will have upon ‘impressive results’ of adult stem cell research.
Leading UK-based Christian charity CARE has expressed concern at the recent Council of Europe decision to continue funding of stem cell research for the next six years.In particular, the charity was worried that it had been permitted for EU taxpayers’ cash to fund embryonic stem cell research where embryos already exist (often from IVF processes).
CARE revealed that there are more scientific results from adult stem cell research than research into embryonic stem cells, as it called for more funding to become available to expand research into adult stem cells.
Last week the Council of Europe dramatically decided to continue the funding of embryonic stem cell research, upon the condition of one major concession; new rules will stipulate that human cloning and the destruction of embryos will be banned.
CARE reveals that the Council of Europe decided that although no EU cash should be spent on projects where human embryos are created solely to be destroyed for research purposes, money from its £37 million science budget could be spent on embryonic stem cell research where these cells have been already extracted.
The week saw Mr Bush, prior to the EU’s decision, use his presidential veto for the first time to defeat a bill in the US Senate that would have expanded federal funding of research using stem cells from human embryos created for this purpose.The therapeutic use of adult stem cells in treating some of the most difficult and serious conditions...is now providing real solutions for patients. This is in contrast to the research studies using embryonic stem cells that are consistently failing to provide therapeutic solutions, even on paper.
Nola Leach, CARE General Director
Embryonic stem cells are able to transform into any cell types found in the body. Scientists believe that if they could find a way to control those cells and allow them to transform into becoming specific types on demand, they could potentially grow replacements for damaged tissue, which it is hoped may lead to cures for Parkinson’s disease among others.
Quadriplegic, author and speaker Joni Eareckson-Tada – who last year launched CARE’s ‘Life Valued’ initiative against euthanasia – was among the high-profile campaigners who gathered at the White House in support of Mr Bush’s veto.
