First step towards relaxing Germany's embryo research laws?

Germany's tight laws on human embryo research should remain in place for the time being, according to a policy statement issued two weeks ago by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), an agency that funds basic research in Germany. Since breakthroughs in areas such as human embryonic stem cell research - which could lead to cell transplantation therapies for incurable diseases such as Alzheimer's - scientists have been demanding the relaxation of the Embryo Protection Laws. These currently confer full human rights to an egg from the moment of fertilisation. But, Rudiger Wolfrum, vice-president of the DFG, is of the opinion that any current attempt to reconsider the laws would backfire due to the lack of public awareness of the potential medical benefits of human embryo research. However, a DFG assessment of existing laws has established that it would be legal to carry out research using embryonic stem cells that had been isolated from aborted fetuses.

Aware of the ethical sensitivity of the issue, the DFG calls for the establishment of a central ethical and legal committee to oversee such projects, but it does express support for work that furthers this area of research.