MADRID, Oct 29 (AFP) - To the chagrin of the Church but the delight of scientists Spain's new Socialist government on Friday announced it will allow scientists to go ahead with embryonic stem cell research to help seek cures for diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and diabetes.
Describing the move as an "important step" in battling as yet incurable illnesses Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega and Health Minister Elena Salgado said the measure had been approved following the government's weekly cabinet meeting.
Spain will initially have two centres of research -- one in Catalonia specialising in regenerative medicine, and the other a stem cell bank at Granada.
The latter follows the examples of Sweden and Britain which already have similar facilities.
The former conservative government ousted last March had passed legislation last year to allow stem cell research on embryos but the legislation had various strings attached such as forbidding research on embryos more than five years old and the law was never passed.
Now, the new government is to press ahead, prompting anger from the Church with the Spanish Eposcopal Conference denouncing the move as "morally unacceptable" to manipulate human embryos "however noble the aim."
Scientists connected with the research project in contrast welcomed what they termed "excellent news."
Former health minister in the ousted conservative government, Ana Pastor, regretted that the new administration had "provided no economic resources" to accompany its announcement.
The Federation of Associations for the Defence of Public Health said the move was a "step forward" which would allow Spain to take its place in the front line of international research into stem cells.
The bill unveiled Friday has several riders attached, including that parents may not benefit financially from research.
10/29/2004 20:36 GMT - AFP