Busquin welcomes the German parliament's decision to authorise stem cell imports
Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin has welcomed a motion passed in the German parliament allowing the importation - under strict control - of existing human embryo stem cells for medical research. On 31 January over half of the 618 Bundestag members attending the vote backed a motion authorising restricted imports of embryonic stem cells. More than 265 members voted for a second motion to impose a complete ban on the imports, but it did not secure a majority. A third motion backing unrestricted imports picked up just 106 votes. 'German researchers will now be able to fully participate in EU-funded research projects that investigate the use of embryonic stem cells for curing diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's or heart insufficiencies,' said Commissioner Busquin. 'The decision of the German Bundestag will strengthen the possibilities for researchers to work together on leading-edge science in a European research area.' The vote follows two years of intense public debate. All research involving embryos was previously outlawed in Germany. Before the vote, Chancellor Schröder had urged the house to allow restricted imports, saying it was the only way to have a say in the use of such research. 'Otherwise, research won't stop but could go ahead following strictly economic interests and in places where ethical concerns have less force,' he warned. Germany's Minister for research, Edelgard Bulmahn, also expressed support for allowing the strictly controlled import of embryonic stem cells, warning that a complete ban would lead to the loss of vital opportunities for biomedical research. Supporters of the legalisation of imports have warned that Germany could lose vital business opportunities if researchers went elsewhere to carry out stem cell research. A national ethics council report published in November last year also backed the introduction of restricted imports. In the European Commission's proposal for the Sixth Framework programme for research (FP6), funding will not be provided for creation of embryos for research purposes or for the procurement of embryonic stem cells nor for any intervention on the germ line.