The government may allow embryonic stem cell research starting next month following the United States’ move on Monday to lift an eight-year ban on federal funding for such research.

The National Bioethics Committee will convene a meeting next month to discuss whether to continue the ban on the controversial research. The Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs says the committee is likely to lift the ban. The move could allow Cha Medical Center in Seoul to launch a related research project.

The bioethics committee rejected the hospital's two previous requests to conduct embryonic stem cell research, citing ethical issues.

The hospital is now working on a detailed description of the research they plan to conduct after being asked to address ethical concerns.