Seanad debates

Thursday, 27 November 2003

Address by Ms Nuala Ahern, MEP.

 

On the question of funding for stem cell research, I do not like to see private squalor and public affluence or vice versa, so we must regulate whether this is done through the private sector or with public funding. The only grip we have in the European Parliament is over the budget and therefore over public funding, so that is where we should direct our attention. I believe in an open economy but it should be well regulated, because without regulation one ends up with criminal activity instead of business, as has happened in Russia. We are on the verge of that with stem cell research. The mass production of embryos for research in the USA is abhorrent. Mr. Bush has said that the research will not be given public funding but that the private sector may go ahead with it. That should not happen in Europe. We should regulate the sector. With respect to Senator Lydon, this research is happening anyway; it is legal in a number of member states. We must bite the bullet and try to achieve some agreement on regulating it. I hope I have answered the Senators' questions as fully as I can.

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