Brussels, 16/07/2003 (Agence Europe) - Following last week's presentation by Commissioner Philippe Busquin of the ethical framework proposed by the European Commission to allow and to enshrine research on embryonic stem cells (see EUROPE of 10 July, p.6), the Commission of the Bishops' Conference of the European Community (COMECE) immediately reacted via its Secretary General. In a press release, Mgr Noel Treanor said he "hopes that the Council of Ministers will decide not to use common EU funds for research using human embryos and embryonic stem cells". Mgr Treanor points out that there are no guarantees as to the results of this research in terms of therapy, and stresses that human life should be respected at all stages of its development.