Total Catholic

The Catholic Church in Scotland has strongly condemned new stem cell research into treatment for stroke victims which uses cells grown from an aborted baby.

The scientists behind the scheme want to launch the world's first trial on patients in Glasgow later this year.

But the procedure, as well as attracting criticism from the Church, is yet to pass an ethics committee.

English-based firm ReNeuron spent £10 million of private investors' money developing what it hopes will help improve the quality of life for thousands of stroke victims.

ReNeuron founder Dr John Sinden claimed the new development was a breakthrough.

"That single cell was expanded by means of technology so we can have something to treat many, many thousands of patients," he said.

"You could make the argument that it would have otherwise gone to waste. The reality is that we're trying to turn that into something with a lasting effect."

The Catholic Church in Scotland said it supported stem cell research in principle from "ethical sources", including adult donations.

But a spokesman for the Church said: "If they're from an aborted foetus, then that is immoral and unethical."

The Society for the Unborn Child previously described ReNeuron's plans as "sick".