BioWorld International Correspondent

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Union's top research official has asked for expert advice on improving the current ethical clearance procedures for human embryonic stem cell research. European Science and Research Commissioner Janez Potocnik called on the EU's own top-level ethical advisers, the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies, to provide ways of streamlining the system.

Because of wide differences of national views on stem cell research, cumbersome guidelines have been in place since 2002. Although less strict than in the U.S., they limit funding under EU research programs to case-by-case approval, and they exclude certain areas altogether.

Now, with a new EU research support program up and running, Potocnik said it was time for a review. "There are many aspects of the procedure that are currently not set out in details and where your guidance will be valuable," he told the group of advisers.

Human cloning for reproductive purposes; research intended to modify the genetic heritage of human beings, which could make such changes heritable; and research intended to create human embryos solely for the purpose of research or the purpose of stem cell procurement will still remain outside the scope of EU research funding.