May science help life” “

On Wednesday 9 July the European Commission gave the go ahead to the proposal to grant EU funding to research on stem cells involving the destruction of surplus embryos. The decision forms part of the “clear, firm, ethical guidelines” called for in the framework of the 6th programme of technological research and development. In particular the proposal lays down that the only stem cells that may be used in such research are those isolated from surplus embryos destined to be destroyed, and donated prior to 27 June 2002 – date of the adoption of the 6th programme of technological research and development, provided that agreement on the scientific use of such cells be expressed beforehand. The aim of the EU proposal is to prevent EU funding from indirectly encouraging the production of a larger number of embryos. The proposal, named after the Commissioner for research Philippe Busquin, reaffirms the ban on the funding of research on human embryos in those countries where the national legislation does not permit it; the obligation for the proponents of any research projects on human embryos to present an ethical opinion furnished by the competent authority in the country in which the research is to be carried out; and the possibility to fund research only in the absence of other appropriate methods. The proposal also repeats the EU’s firm rejection of human cloning and of the creation of embryos for research purposes: But it does stress the “usefulness of funding research that exclusively uses human embryos created through in vitro fertilization, to increase the chances of treatments for assisted reproduction, if such embryos have not otherwise been used and are destined for destruction”. It also proposes the creation of a data bank and a European register for embryos used in research. An appeal to the Council of Ministers of the European Union, urging it to decide “not to use EU funds for research on human embryos and stem cells”, is made by COMECE, the Commission of the Episcopates of the European Union. COMECE criticises the guidelines to fund research in this sector proposed by the European Commission. Acording to Msgr. Noel Treanor, general secretary of COMECE, the cut-off date of 27/6/02, if on the one hand it “should ensure that human embryos are not deliberately created for research purposes”, on the other does not solve “the fundamental ethical question”, namely, the fact that “such research raises basic moral problems, because it involves the destruction of human embryos. For that reason, such research is prohibited in numerous countries of the EU”. COMECE contests the fact that even those states that do not allow this type of research would have to contribute to the common European fund for research. “In our judgement – continues Treanor – the principle of subsidiarity requires that the decisions whether to contribute or not to the financial support of research that has such great moral implications, must be taken by the individual member states. The decisions of countries in this delicate area are rooted in historical experiences and in religious and philosophic ideals”. COMECE hopes that science may advance towards “new therapies able to cure diseases that are now incurable” but recalls that “human life has an intrinsic and absolute value at every stage of its development, and that it cannot therefore be used as waste material. The end, however good, cannot be used to justify the means”. “The rejection for moral and anthropological reasons of the use of human embryos and stem cells is not an attack on scientific research – concludes Treanor -. It means, rather, ensuring that science does not enter into conflict with human rights”.