The European Union has agreed to continue limited funding for controversial medical research using human embryonic stem cells after a German-led coalition failed to block money for new experiments.
Germany backed down on its opposition to the funding, but Austria, Malta, Slovakia, Poland and Lithuania still made their objections known. Italy had changed its position with the change of government.
A deal was reached after the European Commission agreed not to directly fund projects that destroyed human embryos or the procurement of stem cells.
But science ministers confirmed that money would still be available for experiments which used human embryonic stem cells at a later stage.
The move put the EU at odds with America's position, just days after US President George W Bush blocked a bill which would have lifted a ban on US federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.
British Science Minister Lord Sainsbury of Turville said the US opposition would lead to disillusioned American scientists turning to Britain and Europe for financial support for their research into degenerative diseases.
"This is symbolically very significant. It is saying that in Europe we are moving forward on this front on an issue where America, certainly where the federal government is concerned, has a very negative position."
Earlier in the day, Lord Sainsbury had represented the UK in an emotionally charged debate by urging Europe not to fall behind in a field that possibly promised ground-breaking research.
Scientists believe the research could be used to combat degenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer's as it works towards understanding how to regenerate diseased or damaged cells, tissues and organs
“It offers potentially tremendous therapeutic advantages to Europe's citizens,” Lord Sainsbury argued. “It would be morally unacceptable to withhold these advances from patients.”
The 24 July deal - which is yet to be approved by the European Parliament - would only release a tiny proportion of an overall e54 billion research budget for experiments involving stem cells.
The money would be taken from e5.84 billion set aside specifically for health projects over the next seven years.