Germany Relaxes Rules In Stem Cell Research

Berlin, Germany (AHN) - The German parliament on Friday voted to relax restrictions on use of human cells in embryonic stem cell research.

By a vote of 346-228, the Bundestag (lower house) approved legislation that will allow scientists to import embryonic stem-cell lines created before May 1, 2007.

German Research Minister Annette Schavan, a Roman Catholic, said the new law would effectively improve German participation in embryonic stem-cell research. The existing law banned stem cells that were created after 2002 and researchers had argued that cells produced before 2002 are now unusable.

Researchers believe that stem cells can help in the development of treatments for Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes and other illnesses.

Germany's Roman Catholic Church opposed loosening the law arguing that production of all such embryos is unethical and immoral. Human embryonic stem cell research has been a highly controversial issue in Germany partly because of genetic experiments conducted by the Nazis to create the so-called "master race."

Christian churches and conservatives also argue that embryonic stem cell research means killing life at conception. However, country's Lutheran Church has favored the relaxed rules.

Justice Minister Brigitte Zypries favored the new cut-off date saying it is compatible with the German constitution. "Although we have the duty to protect human life, the freedom of research should not be restricted," she said.