The world's first ever embryonic stem cell bank opened just outside Potters Bar yesterday (May 19), but not without attracting some outspoken criticism that it is exploiting human life in the pursuit of profits.

The UK Stem Cell Bank, based at the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC) in Blanche Lane, South Mimms is the first establishment to provide embryonic cells for research into curing diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, diabetes, muscular dystrophy and heart disease.

The publicly-funded bank will allow British researchers much cheaper access to high-quality stem cells, which until now have been in such short supply that they changed hands for thousands of pounds.

Scientists claim the benefit to mankind from increasing the volume of research in this way is potentially staggering. They foresee possible cures for a host of diseases, including the ability to regrow diseased human organs.

But such a bank could not happen in the United States as President George Bush has banned the use of public funds for stem cell research, although some work there is funded privately.

Fiona Pinto, 23, of Osborne Gardens, Potters Bar, who is standing as a Pro-Life Party MEP candidate in Manchester, said such research exploits embryos that could potentially develop into adult life.

"Why is it that a healthy embryo should be squandered in this way? They will start producing babies for research. It seems to justify abortion," she said, adding that embryonic stem cells would not be as effective in reproducing organs as adult tissue is.

"It's much better to take stem cells from the person himself. The embryonic cell wants to change into anything. It's very excitable."

Dr Stephen Inglis, director of the NIBSC, argued at yesterday's opening ceremony that scientists do not yet know whether adult stem cells, which are taken from bone marrow or blood, are as useful as those from embryos.

He said: "Fiona Pinto doesn't know that adult cells are better. At the moment there are uncertainties. We will bank cells so our scientists can do the research."

But he did argue that these cells cannot be considered potential lives. "Stem cells are not embryos. They have the capacity to go in lots of different directions," he said.

Ms Pinto called for more debate on the issue. She said: "There has been so little public debate. South Mimms is a very quiet place and they're hoping that nobody will care very much."

Mr Inglis said: "I can't accept that argument, there's nothing secretive about this. One of the fundamental principles of the bank is transparency and openness."

The aim of the new cell bank is to store and clone cells and distribute them as required to academic and company researchers around the world.

It is funded by the Medical Research Council and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council which are both Government-funded organisations.