The outbreak of yet another row over the funding of embryonic stem cell research looks likely this week when MEPs debate the Horizon 2020 proposals.
There are bound to be divergent views expressed at hearings on Monday and Tuesday on the precise size and shape of the proposed €80 billion Horizon 2020 R&D programme, which succeeds Framework Programme 7 in 2014. But these will merely represent differing opinions on how to achieve the shared objective of devising a pan European research programme that can enhance R&D and spark a new wave of innovation to address the grand challenges Europe is facing, not least enabling its ageing population to live healthy, independent lives.
Banning embryonic stem cell research will reduce Europe’s standing in a field that is just beginning to deliver breakthroughs in the clinic, and at a stroke reduce hope for patients, deter young scientists from working in the area, and present further discouragement for investors.
In other words, a ban on funding embryonic stem cell research would be antithetical to all of Horizon 2020’s stated aims, and undermine its objective before the programme even gets off the drawing board.
In the joint statement below, six of the UK’s major medical research funding bodies urges that any move to cut funding for embryonic stem cell research in Horizon 2020 should be resisted.
“Stem cell research is one of the most exciting and promising fields of biomedical research today. We call on the European Parliament, European Commission and Member States to maintain the provisions of the current framework for funding stem cell research in Horizon 2020.
European Commission funding must be available to continue to support scientists investigating all types of stem cells, including human embryonic stem cells, with potential to make advances in regenerative medicine.
Stem cell research has the potential to lead to the development of treatments and therapies for patients suffering from a host of diseases and illnesses including incurable neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s, motor neurone disease and multiple sclerosis, as well as Type I diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, liver damage, spinal cord damage and blindness. Many of these conditions will increase in prevalence with an ageing population.
Disease Modelling
Stem cell research is improving our understanding of biological development, tissue repair and regeneration. Researchers are making progress in determining which illnesses and diseases are amenable to being treated with stem cell-based therapies. Stem cell technologies are also opening up exciting new approaches to disease modelling and drug development.
This field of research is complex. To enable scientists to best understand the massive potential of stem cells, scientists must be able to continue research in all avenues of stem cell research: this includes using adult, induced pluripotent, embryonic and foetal stem cells.
It is too early to tell which route will be the most effective, for ultimate clinical use, so it is essential to keep all avenues of research open. Any move to make human embryonic stem cell research ineligible for Horizon 2020 funding would risk holding back progress across the entire field.
To maintain its global edge in this area of research, Europe must ensure all avenues of stem cell research continue to be financially supported, including through Horizon 2020. Europe’s strengths in this field present valuable opportunities to attract skilled scientists, biopharmaceutical companies and international investment in stem cell research to Europe, to drive the translation of basic research towards clinical benefits, and to influence the international agenda.” the statement says.
The joint statement was signed by:
AMRC (The Association of Medical Charities, a body representing 124 charities that between them invest more than £1 billion per annum on research)
The British Heart Foundation
European Genetic Alliances’ Network
The UK Medical Research Council
Parkinson’s UK
The Wellcome Trust
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