Spanish Politicians Permit Embryonic Stem Cell Research

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It looks like Spain is moving towards a policy similar to that in the UK regarding embryonic stem cell research:

"It is not ethical to place obstacles and difficulties in the way of scientists who are using their talent and knowledge to improve our capacity to treat illness," Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega told a news conference.

A few details:

Spain will initially have two centres of research -- one in Catalonia specialising in regenerative medicine, and the other a stem cell bank at Granada.
The latter follows the examples of Sweden and Britain which already have similar facilities.

Even a partial lifting of restrictions in this way is welcome - it gives another research community the chance to achieve meaningful progress in this important field of research. As scientists come closer to demonstrating regenerative cures for age-related conditions, it will become increasingly difficult for politicians in other parts of the world to continue to try to suppress freedom in medical research.