What's New in Life Science Research

This past spring, Germany eased its ban on stem cell research.

Previous bans had set strict limits on the number and types of stem cell lines that scientists could use for their research. Specifically, German scientists were not allowed to create their own stem cell lines, but could import those created elsewhere before 2002. Now German scientists now can import lines created elsewhere before 2007, increasing those available from about 40 to 500.

The promise of scientific research, cures for many debilitating diseases, and the desire to keep apace with stem cell research in Europe and Asia, prompted the German parliament to modify long-standing prohibitions.

Yet even with this change to the law, one important sticking point remains: the creation of stem cell lines on German soil, from embryos discarded in medical laboratories.

This ongoing restriction can be attributed in large part to the historical memory of the Holocaust and the abuses committed by Nazi scientists.

Unlike the United States where President George W. Bush's ban on federally-funded embryonic stem cell research was motivated largely by religious ideology, namely the fundamentalist belief that life begins at the instant of conception, Germany's ban have stemmed from painful memories of the heinous crimes committed in the name of eugenics during the twentieth century. The positions of Germany's National Ethics Council reflect a strong awareness of the misuse of genetic science in the past.

In an interesting way, Germany's soul-searching has encouraged scientific innovation, as scientists search for stem cell sources that meet a high ethical bar. Usually this has involved finding new sources for adult germ-line stem cells that have the power to treat specific diseases or damaged organs.

Last month, German scientists based at the University of Tuebingen and the University of Cologne announced they had generated adult germ-line stem cells from testicular tissue taken during biopsies. The limitation of these adult stem lines is that they can be used only on men.

Given its combination of powerful research laboratories, an ongoing desire to cultivate adult stem cell lines that meet certain ethical guidelines, and a bioethical perspective shaped by a sober cognizance of the past, Germany is a country to watch in the coming years and decades when it comes to the cutting edge of stem cell research and potential treatment.