German lawmakers vote to loosen limits on embryonic stem cell imports

April 11, 2008

German lawmakers voted Friday to loosen slightly a 2002 law that imposes strict limits on the use of embryonic stem cells for medical research, enabling scientists to import newer stem-cell lines.

Following a debate that cut across party lines, the lower house of parliament approved the change by a 346-228 margin, with six abstentions. (International Herald Tribune)