Spain Approves Stem Cell Research Projects
Related News: Stem Cells and GovernmentThe Spanish government has given the green light for four research projects using human stem cells, joining only three of the other European countries that allow such research.
The government issued a decree late last year allowing the research, and then on Wednesday the health ministry approved four specific projects.
One of them is led by Bernat Soria, one of Spain's top medical researchers. His project is designed to use stem cells to create insulin-secreting pancreatic tissue to treat diabetes.
Another is designed to help cure Parkinson's, and the last two involve fine-tuning techniques used to transform stem cells into other kinds of cells and tissue.
The new regulations allow use of surplus embryos obtained through in-vitro fertilisation and which have been frozen for more than five years. The parents' approval is needed.
Researchers also need approval from a commission that studies each case individually.
Many scientists believe that stem cells, which can potentially grow into any type of human tissue, may one day be used to treat a series of diseases.
In July 2003, the conservative government of then-Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar authorised the use of embryonic stem cells for research but imposed several restrictions and no research ever got off the ground.
Posted on February 24, 2005 08:18 PM