Embryonic stem cell research is used for curing Parkinson's disease and diabetes but many ethical groups were against its approval, saying it violates the right to life.While six of the court's 11 justices upheld the law, the remaining five judges argued that research should only be carried out "with restrictions."
In 2005, Brazil became the first Latin American country to legalize research with embryonic stem cells but in 2007, then-Attorney General Claudio Fontelles argued the law was unconstitutional because it violated the right to life. Many church groups argue the research is unethical as it kills the living embryos.
However, supporters of the research, including the government, say stem cells are the future of disease management as they can regenerate damaged organs and treat diseases such as diabetes.
The ruling will allow researchers to conduct research on human embryos that have been kept frozen for at least three years and considered unsuitable for human reproduction.
Nearly 25 countries have approved embryonic stem cell research. They include Japan, Australia, Canada and Spain, another largely Catholic country.
