ESTOOLS aims to do both – to build a strong scientific foundation for biotechnological and biopharmaceutical applications of human embryonic stem cell research, which will in turn, we hope, be applied to serious and complex medical problems ESTOOLS', analysing the varying legal and ethical requirements for human ES cell research across European member states, is a core component of the project As our name suggests, we plan to develop the tools, techniques and expertise necessary for eventual medical, pharmaceutical and bioindustrial applications of human ES and iPS cell research