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Biotechnology;
Life Sciences; Policies
CORDIS
RTD-NEWS / © European Communities.
Record
Control Number: 19295
Date: 2002-11-25
Category:
General policy
General Information:
On 21
November, the European Parliament adopted what it described as 'a
very biotechnology-friendly' resolution based on the Commission's
communication on life sciences and biotechnology, a document that the
Competitiveness Council will debate during its next meeting on 26 November.
In a vote
during the Strasbourg plenary session, MEPs rejected most of the
amendments proposed mainly by the Green group, and emphasised the
need for a predictable and ethical legal framework for biotechnology
companies and farmers. Such a framework, the report concludes, should
aim to secure consumer safety and competitiveness, and prevent both a
'brain-drain' in the field and a future dependency on biotech imports.
Specifically,
the report calls on the Commission to launch a 'bEurope' policy in
the field of biotechnology, and goes on to say that: 'Parliament
supports the Commission's idea to play a leading role in developing
international guidelines but regrets that this action is focussed
mainly on the food sector.'
On the issue
of food, however, the Parliament resolution 'strongly supports the
view that the existing de-facto moratorium on genetically modified
foods in force since 1998 should cease, in order to promote innovation.'
MEPs also
argued that Member States should improve education in the field of
biology, with a particular focus on genomes and microbiology. On a
more general level, the resolution stresses the need to ensure that
all consumers have access to reliable information about genetically
modified organisms (GMOs), to promote confidence and informed choice.
Finally, the
Parliament repeated a previous call for the imposition of a universal
and specific ban at the level of the United Nations on the cloning of
human beings at all stages of formation and development.
The
Competitiveness Council, meanwhile, will meet in Brussels on 26
November and hold an exchange of views on the same Commission
communication before adopting conclusions aimed at establishing an
'operational roadmap' for the strategy on biotechnology.
The draft
conclusions state that 'the potential offered by life sciences and
biotechnology in areas such as healthcare, agriculture and food,
industrial products and processes and environmental protection should
be continuously assessed as regards benefits and risks, whilst
anticipating economic, social and environmental consequences and
ethical aspects.'
They note that
the development of a competitive EU biotechnology industry requires
comprehensive and coordinated policies covering all major areas of
biotech applications. The Council will also note that it has
requested that the Commission cooperate closely with it in
establishing the operational roadmap, clarify the responsibilities of
the various actors involved, and set a timetable for these
responsibilities to be carried out.
Data Source
Provider: European Parliament; Council
Document
Reference: Based on information from the European Parliament and the
Competitiveness Council
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