Stem cell troubles

The first major debates on issues in genetic research have shown the German parliament to be divided over the promise offered by genetic technologies and potential moral repercussions. This follows much ethical discussion prompted by Gerhard Schroeder, Germany's chancellor, coming out strongly in favour of certain kinds of genetic research. Schroeder said recently that Germany should avoid imposing too many limits on the search for new treatments, especially for diseases that seem to have no other potential treatments or cures. He said 'the ethics of healing and helping deserve the same respect as that which we have for creation'.

Wolfgang Clement, a state governor in Germany has also now been criticised, for his decision to allow a scientific research institute in Bonn to import embryonic stem cells from Israel. Franz Muentefering, the head of the Social Democrat party, said that Clement should have put the plans in front of the newly established National Ethics Council. Clement insists that he has done nothing wrong, saying he followed the guidelines of a national research association. The main opposition party in Germany, the Christian Democrats, is now promising to bring a Bill to parliament that would close the loophole on imports that Clement used.

Meanwhile, there have been reports that the 'brain drain' of scientists from Britain to America may be reversed in human stem cell research. Some US scientists are believed to be looking into a move to the UK, where more permissive regulation on stem cell research exists. The British political climate on the issue of stem cell research is very supportive, which contrasts with the current uncertainty in the US.