Malta objects to EU funding of stem cell research

Malta yesterday made it clear it will not approve the financing by the EU of scientific research involving the use of embryonic stem cells.

Malta's declaration was made by Competitiveness Minister Censu Galea during a meeting of the Competitiveness Council in Brussels.

During a preliminary discussion on the EU's Seventh Framework Research Programme, Mr Galea said Malta cannot agree to the funding of research on human embryos within this programme.

He stressed that the country is against the financing of similar research involving embryonic stem cells even if these are cultured clones.

Malta adopted a joint declaration on the subject together with Austria, Germany, Italy, Poland and Slovakia.

In their declaration, these countries invited the European Commission to abandon plans for the eligibility of funding of research activities that include the use of human embryos.

"We are of the opinion that the approach envisaged by the Seventh Research Framework Programme and the specific programmes does not take sufficiently into account the therapeutic potential of human adult stem cells and ask for a consequent commitment at community level in order to reinforce the research of human adult stem cells."

The delegations added that they believe decisions on whether to support research which includes the consumption of human embryos should be left to individual member states. The EU should fully abide by the principle of subsidiarity and abstain from financing project activities on matters of fundamental ethical principles which differ among member states.

The group of countries said they "reserve the right to return to the subject of ethical issues in order to give detailed guidelines regarding bioethical principles, taking due account of the opinion of the European Parliament and of the work in the meantime underway on this specific programme".