The University of Antwerp has chosen to move forward with a key epilepsy research project partnered with Tel Aviv University, ignoring a negative review from its own ethics committee. This decision, announced on August 27, 2025, comes amid student protests and broader debates over ties to Israeli institutions, focusing on a 2024-funded effort to develop faster treatments for severe hereditary epilepsy in young children.
Project Details and Goals
This international collaboration brings together experts from Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Italy, and Israel. The main aim is to find quicker ways to treat a rare form of epilepsy that affects babies and toddlers, often leading to serious health issues if not addressed early.
Funding for the project comes from each participating country, ensuring no direct European money goes to the Israeli team. This setup helps keep the work on track without crossing certain financial lines that worry critics.
Researchers hope their work could lead to breakthroughs in managing seizures and improving life quality for affected kids. Early tests show promise in speeding up diagnosis and care.
The project started before the university’s 2024 policy shift against new Israeli partnerships. Now in 2025, it remains one of the few ongoing links.
Ethical Concerns in the Spotlight
The university’s Human Rights Ethics Committee flagged problems with the Tel Aviv partnership. They pointed to the Israeli school’s frequent work with the military, raising fears of indirect support for actions that might harm human rights.
Student groups have protested loudly, demanding a full break from all Israeli ties. These calls echo global boycotts sparked by ongoing conflicts in the region, with similar debates hitting campuses worldwide.
Rector Herwig Leirs addressed the issue, stating the board reviewed everything and saw no real risk in this specific medical study. He stressed that the focus on child health outweighs the concerns.
Despite the pushback, the university stands firm, saying the project’s benefits for epilepsy patients justify continuing.
Public opinion remains split, with some praising the research potential and others calling it a moral misstep.
University’s Stance and Reasoning
After deep talks, the board voted to keep the project alive. They argue it poses no threat to human rights and aligns with global health goals.
Leirs noted that other joint efforts with Israeli schools have been paused, especially those involving shared funding. This selective approach aims to balance ethics with scientific progress.
The decision reflects a careful weigh-in of pros and cons, including input from ethics experts and researchers.
It also considers the project’s timeline, which began in 2024 and needs more time to yield results.
Supporters say stopping now would waste resources and delay help for families dealing with epilepsy.
Opponents worry it sets a bad example for handling sensitive international ties.
Impact on Epilepsy Research
This study targets Dravet syndrome and similar conditions, which cause intense seizures and can be life-threatening. About 1 in 15,000 to 20,000 kids face these issues, per global health data.
Faster treatments could cut mortality rates, which hover around 15 to 20 percent for some forms.
Key potential outcomes include:
- New drugs based on existing multiple sclerosis treatments, adapted for epilepsy.
- Better genetic testing to spot risks early in infants.
- Improved care protocols that reduce hospital stays.
A recent 2025 report from the Epilepsy Research Institute highlights over £2 million invested in similar projects this year, showing growing focus on these disorders.
Collaborations like this one speed up discoveries by pooling knowledge from multiple nations.
Broader Context and Protests
The choice comes against a backdrop of rising tensions over academic ties to Israel. In 2024, many European schools cut new deals due to human rights worries linked to regional strife.
Student-led actions at Antwerp have included sit-ins and petitions, mirroring movements at places like Ghent University and beyond.
Global epilepsy efforts continue, with events like the 2025 European Dravet Syndrome Conference pushing for more research.
Yet, ethics debates could slow progress if more schools pull back.
The university pledges to monitor the project closely and avoid new Israeli links.
Looking Ahead
As 2025 unfolds, watch for updates on the project’s findings, expected in the coming months. This could shape how universities handle ethics in global science.
Experts predict more scrutiny on such partnerships, especially in health fields where lives are at stake.
For now, the work goes on, aiming to bring hope to families worldwide.
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