EU to allow research on fetuses

ETHICAL guidelines that will permit the use of five-day-old foetuses for scientific research were agreed by the European Commission yesterday.

The fertilised eggs, left over from in vitro fertility treatments and frozen for at least a year, could be used for stem cell research.

These basic cells, from which all of the body's tissue and organs grow, may help cure Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and diabetes, researchers say.

There has been a ban on using foetus for this purpose in the EU for the past few years. But this could now be lifted if member states agree to the guidelines.

A government spokesperson said yesterday that they will carefully consider the latest document before making any decisions.

However, the guidelines were condemned by the Catholic Bishops and by Galway MEP Dana Rosemary Scallon, who said they will allow scientists to play god.

The Irish Council for Bioethics is due to report later this summer on the ethical issues raised by developments in biotechnology and genetic engineering.

The regulation of human embryo research and cloning is being examined by the Donnelly Commission on Assisted Human Reproduction, and a report is due by the end of the year.

Ireland is one of six countries which insisted on guidelines being drawn up at European level when the EU's 2 billion package for biotechnology research was agreed last year.

The new guidelines say:

Only embryos left over from IVF treatment and created before June 27, 2002 can be used in EU-funded research;

The mother or couple must agree to donate it;

They must not be paid for the donation;

There must be no other way of doing the research, for example, using stem cells from adults;

The emphasis will be on collaborative research which according to the Commission will cut down on the need for embryonic stem cells;

Research can only be carried out in countries where it is legal.

Monsignor Noel Treanor, Secretary General of the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community (COMECE), said they are disappointed with the guidelines.

"It is not clear whether research on human embryonic stem cells will ultimately lead to therapies," he said.

"Above all, we believe that human life has an intrinsic and absolute value at every stage of its development, and that it should not therefore be used as 'raw material'. A good end cannot be used to justify any means."

MEP Dana Rosemary Scallon said there was no demand for embryonic stem cell research. She claimed the Commission received only nine funding applications for such projects, out of a total of 15,000.

"Why has the Commission decided to fund what is illegal in member states? Why is the EU funding such a controversial field of research, which has no scientifically positive results?" she asked.

Announcing the guidelines, Commissioner Philippe Busquin said: "By funding this research and by setting strict ethical rules for such funding, the EU contributes in a responsible way to advancing this science for the benefit of patients across the world, while at the same time ensuring that it takes place within a clear ethical framework."

At present, this research is mainly carried out in Britain, and the EU is afraid that Europe could be left out of such cutting-edge work.