Horizon 2020: EU prosperity to be achieved through incontestable medical research. Miroslav Mikolášik MEP and Peter Liese MEP

Miroslav Mikolášik MEP and Peter Liese MEP hosted a conference on the topic of Stem Cells Research and Horizon 2020 discussing current scientific and legal aspects of further EU financial support to the contestable embryonic stem cells research. After the presentation of the European Commission's proposal last November, many parliamentarians expressed their disappointment that the EU funds will be further used for the research involving the destruction of human embryos.

"There is a new environment surrounding this issue which was created by the Decision of the European Court of Justice on non-patentability of the inventions derived from human embryonic stem cells research. If one of the main EU competitivness incentives is research leading to patents, how can we fund research which will never be patentable?", Mr Mikolášik asked. "I sincerely applaud this legal interpretation as it explicitly refers to the respect for human dignity which cannot be compromised", he added.

Peter Liese MEP said: "EU funding efforts should now focus on succesful alternatives such as adult and umbilical cord blood stem cells. With more than 70 ongoing efficient clinical trials, they represent a real and ethically-uncontroversial option. A myth created over embryonic stem cells treatment didn't lead to any promising results as believed."

Horizon 2020 is the main EU financial instrument that will implement innovation in Member States and guarantee Europe's competitiveness on the global stage. With increased funding for research and innovation of €80 billion, Horizon 2020 will run from 2014 to 2020 and will support our excellent science base, build industrial leadership in Europe, and create a better society.

"We hope that the further process of the Horizon 2020 adoption by the EU Council and the European Parliament will review the clause on embryonic stem cell research funding and ensure that the EU taxpayers' money is not used for the support of controversial research which is, moreover, outlawed in four Member States", both MEPs concluded.

For further information:
Miroslav Mikolášik MEP, Tel:+32-2-2845289
Peter Liese MEP, Tel:+32-2-2845981
Atilla Agárdi, EPP Group Press and Communications Service, Tel: +32-475-750272
Thomas Bickl, EPP Group Press and Communications Service, Tel: +32-478-215372

Notes to Editors:
The EPP Group is by far the largest political group in the European Parliament with 271 Members.