Ireland is not opposing the Commission proposal to amend the Specific Programme to provide new guidelines to apply specifically to Community funding of research activities involving the procurement of stem cells from human embryos on the basis that the proposal does not allow for the funding of any research activity in Ireland which would not satisfy Irish ethical or legal requirements; Framework Programme activity will be strictly limited to research on embryos produced by medically-assisted in vitro fertilisation in order to induce pregnancy and that will not be used anymore for such purpose (supernumerary embryos); clear and comprehensive guidelines and conditions governing research on human embryos and human embryonic stem cells are being established; a scientific evaluation and ethical review will be required before any proposal for research activity under FP6 in this area is permitted.