Italian science threatened by stem-cell ban

Rome. Scientists fear that the failure of a referendum to overturn the law banning experiments using stem cells, will add to the difficulties facing Italy's already stagnant and underfinanced biomedical research.

There was thought to be much support for the referendum on the repeal of Europe's most restrictive legislation on stem-cell research last week, but the turnout of 28 per cent fell short of the 50 per cent figure required for the vote to be valid.

Scientists say that researchers in this field will leave the country, which will have a serious impact on research initiatives from the public and private sectors.

Elena Cattaneo, director of the Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative Disease at Milan University, said: "As soon as the referendum flopped we were flooded with calls and e-mails offering us jobs in other countries.

"The atmosphere in Italy is oppressive. We have to work with imported cells from lines created abroad, so we are cut out of an important part of the research."

Ferdinando Aiuti, Italy's best known HIV researcher, declared: "We are in the Middle Ages, and I advise young researchers to hurry up and leave Italy."

Carlo Flamigni, who pioneered artificial insemination in the country, said:

"Italian science will pay a very high price."