By Kerstin Gehmlich

BERLIN (Reuters) - German lawmakers voted on Friday to ease restrictions on stem cell research although the approved changes did not go as far as many scientists had hoped.

Under the bill approved by the Bundestag lower house of parliament, researchers will be allowed to import stem cells created before May 1, 2007, rather than only use cells existing before 2002, as current law prescribed.

Stem cell research is a divisive issue in Germany, in part due to Nazi genetic experiments linked to creating a "master race."

Scientists say stem cells offer the potential to treat conditions such as diabetes and Parkinsons' disease and to regenerate damaged organs. Opponents of the research say it is unethical and involves the destruction of living embryos.

Following an emotionally-charged debate, 346 lawmakers voted in favour of the more recent cut-off date, and 228 against it.

Technology Minister Annette Schavan was among those who had backed the new 2007 deadline, saying Germany had to ensure its scientists could keep up globally.

"I think ... moving the date is right so as to maintain the small corridor for research which the 2002 stem cell law provided," she told parliament ahead of the vote.

Six years ago, the German parliament banned the production of embryonic cells from pre-existing stem cell lines.