MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

7.3.2005

to wind up the debate on the statement by the Commission
pursuant to Rule 103(2) of the Rules of Procedure
by Eva-Britt Svensson, Ilda Figueiredo, Věra Flasarová, Adamos Adamou and Georgios Toussas
on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group
on the trade in human egg cells

B6‑0200/2005

European Parliament resolution on the trade in human egg cells

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to reports on the planned trading of human egg cells between clinics in the United Kingdom and Romania,

–  having regard to Article 3 of the European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights,

–  reaffirming its position that trading in human cells and tissues should be prohibited,

–  having regard to the Directive on setting standards of quality and safety for the donation, procurement, testing, processing, preservation, storage and distribution of human tissues and cells,

–  having regard to Rule 103(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas Article 12 of the Directive on setting standards of quality and safety for the donation, procurement, testing, processing, preservation, storage and distribution of human tissues and cells explicitly states that payment for cell and tissue donations in Europe is not acceptable and that cells and tissues as such must not be subject to trade,

B.  whereas the procurement of cells may not be subject to any pressure or incentive, but the voluntary and unpaid donation of egg cells must be guaranteed, so that women do not become ‘suppliers of raw material’,

C.  whereas egg cell donation constitutes a medical risk for donors, as it entails prior hormone treatment and surgical removal of the egg cells,

D.  whereas the high price paid for egg cells is an incentive to donation, and represents a specific challenge and risk for people in a desperate economic state, especially Sinti and Roma women,

1.  Considers that the payment to women of sums of money for egg cell donation in Romania does not constitute a form of compensation but a form of payment, and is thus contrary to the policy of the European Union;

2.  Is concerned at reports that the UK is considering introducing a fee of £1,000 for women who donate eggs;

3.  Takes the view that the trade in human egg cells is a form of exploitation of women’s bodies designed to obtain a supply of human cells and tissues;

4.  Believes that women whose economic situation is particularly wretched, such as Sinti and Roma, may have a special interest in providing egg cells;

5.  Calls on the Commission to take measures to prevent this breach of European law;

6.  Calls on the United Kingdom Government to stop the planned trading of egg cells between United Kingdom and Romanian clinics;

7.  Calls on Members of the United Kingdom Parliament to follow the dictates of their conscience and vote to stop the trade in egg cells with Romanian medical centres;

8.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the governments of the Member States, especially the United Kingdom.