29.11.2004 - 09:51 CET | By Marit Ruuda
Swiss voters strongly backed a law on Sunday (28 November), allowing research on the stem cells of human embryos.

Switzerland is the first country in the world to put this controversial issue to a referendum - nationwide polls, however, are common in the country.

According to interior minister Pascal Couchepin, the result was a "vote of confidence in research".

"No other country has the confidence to put such a question to the people", he said, according to the Guardian.

The supporters say that stem cell research could lead to a cures for illnesses like Parkinson's, cancer and diabetes.

Switzerland's influential Green Party, Catholic Church and several medical ethics groups fought against the law.

They believe that stem cell research could offer false hope to people and that human cloning could be the next step.

(EUObserver)