MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
5 September 2000
pursuant to Rule 37(2) of the Rules of Procedure
by Paul Lannoye and Hiltrud Breyer
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group
on human cloning
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B5-0710/2000
B5-0753/2000
Resolution on human cloning
The European Parliament,
- having regard to the proposal by the United Kingdom Government to permit medical research using embryos created by cell nuclear replacement (so-called “therapeutic cloning” ),
- noting also that the Commission’s Advisory Group on Ethics is currently preparing a report on research involving human stem cells, due for publication later this year,
- having regard to the Community’s Fifth Framework Research Programme, in particular the statement that “no research activity, understood in the sense of the term 'cloning`, will be conducted with the aim of replacing a germ or embryo cell nucleus with that of the cell of any individual, a cell from an embryo or a cell coming from a late stage of development to the human embryo.” (Footnote 2 to Section (b) of Theme 1 - The study of problems relating to biomedical ethics and bioethics in the context of respect for fundamental human values),
- having regard to its previous resolutions on this subject, notably those of 16 March 1989, 28 October 1993, 12 March 1997, 15 January 1998, to its resolution on respect for human rights in the European Union of 17 December 1998, and in particular to its strongly held conviction that the ban on cloning of human beings at all stages of development should remain in force throughout the Community as contained in its resolution of 30 March 2000,
- restating its views that the cloning of human beings, whether carried out on an experimental basis, in the context of fertility treatments, for preimplantation diagnosis, for tissue transplantation, or for any other purpose whatsoever, is unethical and contrary to respect for the person and a grave violation of fundamental human rights which cannot under any circumstance be justified or accepted,
- having regard to the Commission's declaration on human cloning of 6 September 2000,
A. whereas the undoubted need for medical research resulting from advances in knowledge of human genetics must be balanced against strict ethical and social constraints,
B. whereas there are alternative and potentially rewarding avenues of research available into genetic diseases and disabilities which do not involve “therapeutic cloning”, and which do not use human embryos,
C. whereas there is a prohibition on the use of Community funds, either directly or indirectly, for any such research,
D. whereas the distinction between “therapeutic cloning” and “reproductive cloning” is not a definitive one and any relaxation of the present ban will lead to pressure for further developments in embryo production and usage,
E. whereas the UK Government's proposals require the assent of the Members of both Houses of the United Kingdom Parliament, who are to be permitted a free vote of conscience on the issue,
1. Considers that “therapeutic cloning”, which involves the creation of human embryos solely for research purposes, poses a profound ethical dilemma, crosses an irreversible boundary in research norms and is contrary to public policy as adopted by the European Union;
2. States once again its opposition to human cloning in any form and to the production of human embryos solely for research purposes and calls on the Commission and on Member States to reaffirm their policy that the prohibition on human cloning in all its forms should remain in force;
3. Calls on the Commission to apply strictly the prohibition on the use of Community funds for such purposes as contained in the Fifth Framework Programme;
4. Calls on its honourable colleagues, the Members of the United Kingdom Parliament, to exercise their votes of conscience and to reject the proposal to permit research using embryos created by cell nuclear transfer when it is laid before them;
5. Repeats its insistence that there should be 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;
6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, Commission, the governments of the Member States, the Members of the UK Parliament, and the Secretary-General of the United Nations.