EU agrees funding for stem cell research

European Union ministers have reached agreement today to provide finance for research involving human embryonic stem cells.

European Union ministers have reached agreement today to provide finance for research involving human embryonic stem cells.

The limited use of EU cash was a compromise designed to persuade a German-led coalition opposed to the practice.

The deal would ban research that involves destroying human embryos, including for the procurement of stem cells, EU president Finland said.

However, this would not prevent EU funding of "subsequent steps" involving human embryonic stem cells, the ministers agreed.

  • Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date

  • Sign up for push alerts to get the best breaking news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone

  • Listen to In The News podcast daily for a deep dive on the stories that matter