LERU ‘pleased’ with Commission decision on ‘One of Us’

The League of European Research Universities (LERU) has said it is “pleased” with the position that the European Commission has taken in its response to the European Citizens’ Initiative ‘One of Us’.

In a statement, LERU said that the Commission has now “fortunately halted this initiative which, if successful, would have severely hampered or stopped vital research performed in the EU’s research funding programme Horizon 2020”.

The organisation said that stem cell research was “absolutely crucial” to delivering better treatments for such diseases as Parkinson’s and diabetes and for organ replacement.

The current provisions in Horizon 2020 already impose rules, limitations, exclusions and other checks on such research. LERU said that these will now “continue to be upheld in Horizon 2020 so that medical research can continue and will hopefully secure breakthroughs in these areas where Europe is a world leader”.

LERU concluded: “It is of vital importance to recognise and support scientific research involving embryonic stem cells in the interest of health, wellbeing, prosperity and social cohesion for all citizens of Europe.”