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 Anna Záborská and Maria Martens
on behalf of the PPE-DE Group
on the planned trading of human egg cells by Great Britain and Romania

B6‑0202/2005

European Parliament resolution on the planned trading of human egg cells by Great Britain and Romania

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, in particular Article 152(4)(a) thereof,

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

–  having regard to Directive 2004/23/EC of 31 March 2004 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 there are credible reports of human egg cells and embryos being imported by the United Kingdom from Romanian hospitals,

B.  whereas the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has published a consultation paper, in which a payment of £ 1000 for the donor is an option and has asked the public to comment on it,

C.   whereas Article 3 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights states that making the human body and its parts a source of financial gain is prohibited,

D.  whereas Article 12 of the Directive on setting standards of quality and safety for human tissues and cells explicitly states that a payment for cell and tissue donations in Europe is not acceptable and that cells and tissues as such must not be subject to trade,

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

F.   whereas the harvesting of egg cells constitutes a high medical risk for the life and health of women, resulting inter alia from hyperstimulation of the ovaries,

G.   whereas the planned egg cell trade will especially exploit the extreme poverty of women in marginal sections of society and women belonging to minorities such as Sinti and Roma, who will probably be especially defenceless,

H.  whereas, despite the possibility of grave effects on women's life and health, the high payment for egg cells incites and encourages the donation, as a result of the relative poverty of the donors and the state of the Romanian economy,

I.  whereas the promise of financial incentives could cause a woman, especially one who is in a state of economic need, to consider the sale of her ova, possibly resulting in special risks to her life and health and also a risk to the recipient, as the donor may not disclose the medical history or possible medical risks advising against a donation,

1.  Considers that egg cell donation for which women receive a financial gain of £ 1000 does not constitute a form of compensation but a form of payment, and is thus contrary to the stated policy of the European Union;

2.  Considers that such an exercise between the UK and Romanian hospitals can be regarded as a trade which is unacceptable as such and is a form of exploitation of women, especially women in extreme poverty;

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

4.  Calls on the UK Government to stop the planned trading of egg cells between the United Kingdom and Romanian clinics,

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

6.  Calls on the Commission to ascertain whether such cases also occur in other Member States and other candidate and third countries;

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