In favor of this ban says it should be illegal to allow patents where research involves destroying embryos. Judges are not obliged to follow this advice, but often do.
Human embryonic stem cells have the potential to turn into any tissue in the body. Many scientists are excited by the prospect of using stem cells to create healthy cells to replace those affected by the disease. After more than a decade of research, early clinical trials are ongoing in the United States of America.
Scientists say that the industry would not be justified in any way to invest in this area, exceptan if their findings would be protected by patents.
Professor Austin Smith of the Wellcome Trust Centre for Stem Cell Research in Cambridge said: "It would be devastating if the court should follow these tips. Would jeopardize the future of biomedical research in Europe, and some projects would fail. This would send also, the message that scientists are involved in immoral activities, which would have a negative impact on our community and would erode public confidence in our work. "
Professor Pete Coffey, director of the London Project to Cure Blindness, said that "there is an ethical need to treat the disease, and taboos of a patent application would mean the loss of European leadership position in this field of research. Coffey led the team hopes to begin clinical trials to treat a form of blindness in the next year.
The case was brought before the court by Greenpeace in Germany. A Greenpeace advisor, Dr. Christoph Then said the organization does not oppose all research regarding stem cells: "Our initial goal was to clarify patent law, particularly regarding the industrial use of embryos."
Within a few months, expect a decision from the European Court of Justice.
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