The European Parliament has given approval to funding embryonic stem cell research as part of its plan on financing scientific research.
The issue has been highly divisive in the parliament. The motions on embryonic stem cell research had majorities ranging from just 15 to 51 votes in the 732-seat parliament.
If approved by the European Council, funding would only be available in three member states where stem cell research is permitted in national law.
Independent MEP Kathy Sinnott criticised the move, arguing that it would put counties who haven't already legislated under pressure to allow embryonic stem cell research.
Bishops' challenge on stem cell vote
The Catholic bishops earlier challenged the Irish MEPs to oppose the funding of research on stem cells from human embryos when the issue was voted on.
The hierarchy said the proposal would result in the destruction of human life.
In a statement issued at the end of their summer meeting in Maynooth, the 32 bishops highlighted the serious moral implications of the vote at the parliament in Strasbourg.
The bishops said the crucial issue was that using a human embryo as an object of research was nothing short of destroying human life.
And they emphasised what they called ‘the fundamental difference between embryonic and adult stem cells’, both of which, scientists say, can counteract serious diseases.
The bishops repeated their December 2003 recommendation to the Government that the EU should give significant funding to research using stem cells taken from adults.
They said that research was very promising and had already led to positive clinical results without encountering any of the ethical difficulties associated with research on human embryos.
The prelates called on both the Government and MEPs to take the lead in opposing the destruction of those embryos in such work.
And they pointedly regretted that Ireland's representatives in Europe had not done this so far.
