Vatican criticises EU embryo research funding

The European Parliament's approval of funding for some human embryonic stem cell (ES cell) research reflects inequality in how individual countries recognise fundamental rights, according to a Vatican official. Following 19 months of negotiations and 2000 amendments - 700 of which were put to a vote - the 7th Framework Research Program for Research and Technological Development (FP7) has finally been adopted. The program, which begins on 1 January 2007, will allocate €54.5 million to scientific research over a seven year period. Funding for ES cell research projects will be considered, in those countries where such work is permitted, but European Union (EU) money may not be used for human reproductive cloning, genetic alteration of humans or the creation of human embryos specifically for research.

Earlier this year, members of the parliament voted to allow EU funding for projects involving human ES cell research, by 284 votes to 249 with 32 abstentions. Policy on ES cell research varies across Europe, with some countries banning all embryo research, while others allow such research to take place under strict guidelines. The UK, Belgium and Sweden have the most liberal regulatory approach to ES cell work, in that they allow the creation of embryos using cloning technology. Italy and Germany have the strictest laws, which do not permit scientists to create any new ES cell lines, although they can import them.

Bishop Elio Sgreccia, president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, said that the FP7 announcement 'makes evident the moral and ethical relativism that now governs Europe'. Speaking on Vatican Radio, he continued: 'Where there is one kind of law, one is recognised as a human person from conception; where there is another, instead, it is no longer the same', he said, adding 'so I no longer see that Europe which was born from a charter of man's rights'. He said there were no 'fundamental rights' that were the same for all European citizens.

Former research commissioner MEP Philippe Busquin said that the situation on embryo research represented 'improvement' to the previous FP6 program, as 'we now have clear rules prohibiting the destruction of human embryos'. The first calls for proposals under FP7 are expected to be published on 22 December.