Posted on 10/19/2011 2:11:44 PM PDT by NYer
Scientists in Britain face being barred from developing life-saving treatments after a court ruled it is ‘immoral’ to use embryos to produce stem cells.
The European Court of Justice has decreed that patenting any treatment using the cells is ‘commercial exploitation’ and ‘contrary to morality’.
Scientists warned the ‘devastating decision’ will stop pioneering treatments for degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s being developed in the UK, with potentially catastrophic consequences for the multi-million pound biotechnology industry.
But pro-life groups, who argue it is immoral to experiment with embryos to advance medicine, welcomed the ruling.
The decision, made unanimously by 13 judges in Luxembourg, follows a case brought by Greenpeace in Germany against Professor Oliver Brüstle at the University of Bonn.
Professor Brüstle filed a patent with the German government in 1997 to convert embryonic stem cells into nerve cells to help patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Greenpeace challenged it and the case went to the highest court in Germany and then Luxembourg.
The resulting 10-page judgement prohibits patenting any process which involves removing a stem cell from and then destroying a ‘human embryo’ – defined as anything ‘capable of commencing the process of development of a human being.’
It states: ‘Patents may not be granted for inventions whose commercial exploitation would be contrary to morality... In particular patents shall not be awarded for uses of human embryos for industrial or commercial purpose.’
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Adult stem cells have some utility (including the fat cells from your sides), but embryo stem cells have shown to be a cropper.
Adult stem cells have some utility (including the fat cells from your sides), but embryo stem cells have shown to be a cropper.
“I am stunned that this decision was based on natural law principals.”
Europeans have been leary of some of these things since the Nazi experiments; much of that data is not allowed to be used because of how it was obtained.
Freepmail wagglebee to subscribe or unsubscribe from the moral absolutes ping list.
FreeRepublic moral absolutes keyword search
European judges get it RIGHT! YAY! Very good comments on the thread. Embryonic stem cells have never yielded "life saving treatments" anyway.
I am stunned that anyone in Europlat still cares about moral issues and life.
bump
I have heard of several life saving treatments from adult stem cells though
who needs profits or results when you get billions in government funding?
This is great news, especially since there is no such thing as LIFE SAVING embryonic stem cell research.
Embryonic stem cells don’t work.
Just ask Solyndra....
Socialist, utilitarian European judges ruling in favor of a lawsuit brought by the animal first loving Greenpeace? All to stop experimentation on human embryos?
Truly a miracle from God, as far as I can see.
I honestly find myself looking at Greenpeace with another view.
Also, were they the only one to bring this suit? If so, good on them and shame on European Christians and Christianity there.
Life saving embryonic stem-cell treatments? I’m not aware of even one.
Nope. They are just against bio-patents. Amazingly, I find myself on the same side generally. The concept of patenting genes is (pardon the pun), patently ridiculous. Of course the other side of this, is that there is nothing that can be done with embryonic stem cells that can't be done cheaper and safer with adult stem cells. This entire issue with embryonic stem cells is merely a fig leaf used by the left to continue the practice of infanticide.
I love your tagline. My wife and I have been living closely with the Lord the past few days as my youngest daughter (19yo) was killed in a car crash this past weekend. The Lord is faithful, and in Christ we find grace.
I am sooooo sorry to hear that. My youngest daughter is 19 as well, and I cannot imagine the grief of losing her.
I will be praying for you and am going to ping a few others to do so as well.
Prayer ping for post 35.
Oh my goodness. Prayers up for you and your wife at this time.
Prayers up for your family.
Terribly sorry for your loss. Prayers up for you and your family.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.