| Author (Person) | Bower, Helen |
|---|---|
| Publisher | ProQuest Information and Learning |
| Series Title | In Focus |
| Series Details | 11.4.03 |
| Publication Date | 11/04/2003 |
| Content Type | News, Overview, Topic Guide | In Focus |
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Research on stem cells taken from embryos could be banned in the EU in the future after Members of the European Parliament voted to outlaw this type of research at the first reading of a European Commission proposal concerning standards of quality and safety of human tissues and cells on 10 April 2003. The proposal, adopted by the European Commission on 19 June 2002, sets out quality requirements related to the donation, procurement and testing of tissues and cells as well standards for tissue establishments in order to ensure a comparable level of safety throughout the EU. It also suggests that traceability standards be introduced to ensure that tissues and cells can be followed from donor to patient and back. In recent years, the increased use of human tissues and cells for therapeutic purposes has highlighted the need to provide legislation in this area and the Amsterdam Treaty calls on the EU to ensure a high level of public health protection for substances of human origin. The European Parliament's vote on 10 April 2003 is the first stage in the lengthy co-decision procedure. Peter Liese, a member of the EP's Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy and rapporteur for the issue, presented a report on the proposal, which suggested more than 80 amendments to the original Commission proposal. These amendments mainly concerned the scope of the directive, compensation for tissue and cell donation, donor consent, donor anonymity and ethical issues. However, one amendment that is likely to provoke the most controversy as the decision-making process continues relates to the introduction of a clause prohibiting embryonic stem cell research that reads:
According to the report, such a ban may be justified because 'the use of cells and tissues derived from cloned human embryos cannot be permitted for ethical reasons, and for reasons connected with the extremely high medical risks involved'. This justification on ethical and medical reasons goes right to the heart of the debate: if medical reasons are cited as sufficient justification for an end to stem cell research then a ban may be introduced; however, binding ethical rules are strictly the responsibility of the Member States and the EU does not have the right to regulate ethical issues under a European Directive. David Byrne, European Commissioner responsible for public health, emphasised this point at the beginning of the Parliament's plenary debate, saying:
However, the rapporteur rejects this view citing previous discussions at European level such as that concerning the Biopatent Directive where it has been shown that 'it is not possible to take a decision on regulating genetic and biotechnology without duly taking account of the ethical aspects'. Clearly, a number of Mr. Liese's colleagues share his opinion as the amended proposal was adopted by a majority of 321 votes to 89 with 57 abstentions. Opponents of stem cell research say it is immoral to use embryos because they represent the first stages of human life. However, MEPs who support the use of stem cell research argue that it has the potential to help a number of sick people. MEP David Bowe, a British member of the European socialists cited the example of his young constituent Zain Hashmi, who was able with his parents to get permission to utilise these new technologies to protect his life and safeguard his future. Embryonic stem cell research is currently legal in the United Kingdom, but it is banned in other Member States and some EU countries have no regulations on it at all. In the UK, where scientists are using pioneering stem cell research to help find cures for a wide range of serious diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, a public opinion survey published on 8 April 2003 revealed that seven out of ten of those surveyed said the use of human embryos was acceptable in research to find treatments for serious diseases and in fertility research. The UK Medical Research Council, reacting to the Parliament's vote, called it 'a blow to medical research', adding:
UK stakeholders, such as the MRC, diabetics associations and the Parkinson's Disease Society, are now expected to lobby their local MEPs and government officials to prevent the amended proposal being adopted. The proposal will be discussed by EU health ministers at a council meeting on 2 June 2003. Under the co-decision procedure MEPs will have to vote on the law again at a second reading before it comes into effect. Helen Bower Compiled: Friday, 11 April 2003 Embryonic stem cell research stem cells taken could be banned in the EU in the future after the European Parliament voted against a European Commission proposal concerning standards of quality and safety of human tissues and cells at its first reading on 10 April 2003. |
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| Subject Categories | Culture, Education and Research, Health, Values and Beliefs |
