Brazil's Supreme Court upheld legislation that allows research
on embryonic stem cells in the world's largest Roman Catholic
country, where church groups staunchly oppose the practice.
Six of the 11 judges voted to uphold the 2005 law. The other five,
including the court's president, had favoured putting restrictions
on the law.
In 2005, Brazil became the first Latin American country to legalize
research with embryonic stem cells.
But scientists complain that most new research has been on hold
since the country's then chief prosecutor questioned the
biotechnology law before the Supreme Court the same year.
Church groups argue the research is unethical and destroys living
embryos, while supporters including the government say stem cells
offer the potential to regenerate damaged organs and treat diseases
such as diabetes.
"It is a victory of knowledge over obscurantism," president of the
National Bar Association, Cezar Britto, said in a statement,
calling the court's ruling "historic."
The Brazilian National Conference of Bishops said in a statement
the ruling was "lamentable" and that it will "continue its work in
favour of life."
Scientists say Brazil has fallen behind in stem cell research
because of the legal uncertainty even though it has great
scientific potential in the field.
The bishops group, which is the country's top Roman Catholic Church
body, argues that adult stem cells taken from the patient are a
more viable alternative.
The conference said "it is not a religious matter but a question of
promoting and defending human life starting from conception."
Earlier, the group said destroying and manipulating an embryo to
use its cells "isn't much different from selling children to use
their organs."
The legislation permits research on stem cells drawn from embryos
frozen for at least three years and considered unsuitable for human
reproduction.
These embryos would eventually be discarded, the Health Ministry
said.
The government has financed research using stem cells drawn from
embryos, as well as spinal and umbilical cords.
Around 25 countries, including Japan, Australia, and Canada, have
approved embryonic stem cell research, according to Brazil's Health
Ministry.
Spain, another major Catholic country, allowed embryonic stem cell research in 2004, according to the ministry.
