The current controversy generated by the announcement of a first test of human therapeutic cloning is in danger of obscuring real recent progress on this important ethical issue. Euroscience appeals for a balanced, rational debate. We should not loose sight of the immense scientific and medical benefits of human embryonic stem cell research. At the same time, it is clear that adequate safeguards must be put into place. Before the European Parliament debates the Fiori report on genetic research, Euroscience wishes to stress the need to pursue investigations which could lead to the discovery of new treatments for currently untreatable pathologies such as neurodegenerative diseases. Of course, a strict framework must be given to such research. Euroscience supports:

1. Human embryonic stem cell research from supernumerary embryos provided prior parental agreement is obtained; and,
2. In parallel, a European moratorium of five years on human therapeutic cloning, i.e. on the creation in vitro of human embryos for the generation of embryonic stem cells.

These actions are indispensable, to allow European research to establish what the real therapeutic potential of these cells will be in comparison to adult stem cells, whose capabilities of differentiation in vivo remain to be demonstrated. At the same time, they offer a rational framework within which the ethical debate can be properly pursued. However, Euroscience remains firmly opposed to reproductive cloning.