Iran plans to invest US$2.5 billion in stem cell research over the next five years. "Stem cell research centers will soon be opened in all major cities," said the managing director of Iran's cord blood bank, Mortezah Zarabi. Iranian scientists developed human embryonic stem cell lines from spare IVF embryos in 2003, with the approval of Shia authorities. In fact, Iran has some of the world’s most liberal laws for stem cell research. Muslim clerics acknowledge that life begins three months after conception – a window which gives scientists access for experimentation. ~ Pavand, Nov 7