MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
5 September 2000
pursuant to Rule 37(2) of the Rules of Procedure
by Diana Paulette Wallis, Elly Plooij-van Gorsel and Willy C.E.H. De Clercq
on behalf of the ELDR Group
on the cloning of human embryos for therapeutic purposes
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B5-0702/2000
B5-0702/2000
Resolution on the cloning of human embryos for therapeutic purposes
The European Parliament,
- having regard to its resolutions of 15 January 1998 on human cloning[1] and 30 March 2000 on the decision by the European Patents Office with regard to patent No EP 695351 granted on 8 December 1999[2],
- having regard to Directive 98/44/EC of 6 July 1998 on the legal protection of biotechnological inventions,
A. having regard to the British Government’s proposal to authorise the cloning of human embryos for therapeutic purposes and the debate caused by this announcement,
B. whereas cloning for reproductive purposes would remain prohibited,
C. whereas scientific research, which is a key to human progress, must be pursued; whereas, however, it may not undermine the dignity and integrity of the human being,
1. Recalls that Directive 98/44/EC bans any industrial or commercial use of human embryos;
2. Reiterates that every individual has the right to his own genetic identity and that human cloning, i.e. the reproduction of identical human beings, must be prohibited;
3. Considers, however, that cloning techniques could be useful in improving human health, in particular with regard to the eradication of certain hereditary diseases, and that these techniques should be permitted, whilst monitoring any abuse in their use;
4. Reaffirms its conviction that it is essential to define ethical and legal guidelines based on respect for human dignity in the area of biotechnology;
5. Calls on the European Group on Ethics in Sciences and New Technologies to issue as quickly as possible its opinion on human embryo cloning for therapeutic purposes and calls on the Commission to check its conformity with European law;
6. Announces its intention to create a temporary committee on Bioethics which, taking into account the opinion from the Commission’s Ethics Group, will prepare a political response on this complicated matter;
7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council and the governments and parliaments of the Member States.