German scientists call for access to ES cells

German scientists are again calling for a change in the law to allow greater access to human embryonic stem cells (ES cells), warning that Germany may lose its status as a leader in research if the rules do not change.

A group of German researchers, including Oliver Brüstle - head of the Institute for Reconstructive Neurobiology at the University of Bonn and the first scientist to apply to import ES cells in 2000 - appeared before a parliamentary committee in Berlin last week to ask for a relaxation in the law.

In 2001 the Bundestag made it illegal to produce stem cell from human embryos, and illegal for scientists to carry out research on human stem cells that had been imported into Germany after 1 January 2002. As a result, German scientists are increasingly reliant on old stem cell lines, many of which are contaminated, and which seriously limits the potential for scientific advancement.

Mr Brüstle has suggested that a solution may be for scientists to use 'supernumerary' embryos from fertility clinics to create cell lines for research purposes. These embryos would otherwise be destroyed. At the very least Mr Brüstle has asked the law to be relaxed so that German scientists carrying out research on recent cell lines abroad, did not face prosecution for breaking German law upon their return. Mr Brüstle has urged the change in the law for fear that Germany will lag behind the rest of the world in finding the key to curing diseases such as Alzheimer's, he said, 'we need access to these cell lines to be competitive at an international level'.

Hille Haker, a Frankfurt theology professor, conversely argued for the law to remain untouched, as nothing had ethically altered since 2002. She argued that it was justified to limit scientific advancement in order to protect human embryos. The German Minister for Research, Annette Schaven, argued 'it has been our firm conviction that human embryos should not be destroyed to get stem cells'.

In parliament, the Green party refuses to back the recommendations, with only the liberal FDP and Left parties supporting a change in the law. The ruling SPD and CDU parties have sent mixed signals. However, Ms Schaven has indicated that there will be a debate on the possibility of postponing the cut-off date, in order to ascertain 'whether or not we can find new ways to combine the protection of human life with the expectations of scientists'.