# CE2004078EN.01058601.xml

| 27.3.2004 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 78/586 |
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27.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 78/586

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(2004/C 78 E/0620)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3554/03

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(1 December 2003)

Subject:   Development of artificial viruses and bacteria in America and possible resultant neglect of environmental protection in Europe

Subject:

| 1. | Is the Commission aware that, since 1999, genetic engineer Craig Venter and his Institute for Biological Energy Alternatives (IBEA), which receives USD 3 million per annum in subsidy from the US Government, have been developing artificial viruses? |
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1.

Is the Commission aware that, since 1999, genetic engineer Craig Venter and his Institute for Biological Energy Alternatives (IBEA), which receives USD 3 million per annum in subsidy from the US Government, have been developing artificial viruses?

| 2. | Is the Commission aware that this research has now yielded a living product named PhiX174, which consists of 5 386 base pairs coding for nine proteins, and that in addition an artificial bacterium consisting of 580 000 base pairs, with 470 proteins, is still at the development stage? |
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2.

Is the Commission aware that this research has now yielded a living product named PhiX174, which consists of 5 386 base pairs coding for nine proteins, and that in addition an artificial bacterium consisting of 580 000 base pairs, with 470 proteins, is still at the development stage?

| 3. | Is the Commission furthermore aware that — unlike the artificial polio virus presented in New York last year — PhiX174 is capable of penetrating bacteria, modifying them and reproducing with their assistance, just like natural viruses? |
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3.

Is the Commission furthermore aware that — unlike the artificial polio virus presented in New York last year — PhiX174 is capable of penetrating bacteria, modifying them and reproducing with their assistance, just like natural viruses?

| 4. | Is the Commission aware of the press conference of 13 November 2003 in Rockville, Maryland, at which the US Secretary of Energy, Spencer Abraham, announced that such manmade micro-organisms will soon bring about revolutionary changes in environmental protection? |
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4.

Is the Commission aware of the press conference of 13 November 2003 in Rockville, Maryland, at which the US Secretary of Energy, Spencer Abraham, announced that such manmade micro-organisms will soon bring about revolutionary changes in environmental protection?

| 5. | How will the Commission help to prevent EU Member States and regions or localities within them from neglecting their environmental protection responsibilities in the hope that a future panacea will devour and clean up all previous pollution, including even radioactive waste? |
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5.

How will the Commission help to prevent EU Member States and regions or localities within them from neglecting their environmental protection responsibilities in the hope that a future panacea will devour and clean up all previous pollution, including even radioactive waste?

Source: Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, 15 November 2003.

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(21 January 2004)

(21 January 2004)

| 1. and 2. | The Commission is aware of PhiX 174. This matter is addressed in detail in the Commission's reply to the written question E-3555/03 (1) by the Honourable Member. It is to be noted that the virus to which the Honourable Member refers in his written question is not an artificial virus. |
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1. and 2.

The Commission is aware of PhiX 174. This matter is addressed in detail in the Commission's reply to the written question E-3555/03 (1) by the Honourable Member. It is to be noted that the virus to which the Honourable Member refers in his written question is not an artificial virus.

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| 3. | As noted under point 1, PhiX 174 is not an artificial organism but a virus of the genus Microvirus and family Microviridiae. |
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3.

As noted under point 1, PhiX 174 is not an artificial organism but a virus of the genus Microvirus and family Microviridiae.

| 4. | Yes. In his vision of the future, the United States' Secretary of Energy, Spencer Abraham, gave as examples microbes that could remove pollution from the emissions of power plants, or reduce water pollution and the toxic effects of radioactive waste. |
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4.

Yes. In his vision of the future, the United States' Secretary of Energy, Spencer Abraham, gave as examples microbes that could remove pollution from the emissions of power plants, or reduce water pollution and the toxic effects of radioactive waste.

| 5. | The Commission will continue to ensure that Member States respect their commitments to Union environmental legislation, irrespective of any hypothetical future technological possibilities |
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5.

The Commission will continue to ensure that Member States respect their commitments to Union environmental legislation, irrespective of any hypothetical future technological possibilities

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(1)  See page 587.

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