WRITTEN QUESTION E-3358/02 by Dana Scallon (PPE-DE) to the Council. Research on supernumerary embryos.
Date: 2002-11-27
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, EU programme, biotechnology, cytology, embryo and foetus, research programme

C 155 E/142

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.7.2003

Around the same time, on 5 July 2001, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the situation in
South Africa (2) which expresses much less optimism about the problem and probable developments. It
points out that ‘South Africa would have serious difficulties in overcoming these problems without the
support and solidarity of the international community, in which the role of the European Union is crucial
in so far as the Union and its Member States account for 70 % of international aid to the country’.

Unfortunately, violent crime in South Africa shows no signs of abating and a large number of EU citizens,
especially Portuguese, are still being murdered. A person murdered a few days ago was the twenty-fifth
Portuguese victim since the beginning of the year.

This is obviously an unacceptable situation and calls for more determined measures on the part of the
competent South African authorities, as well as more intensive international support.

Does the Council still have the same confidence and the optimistic feeling that the problem of violent
crime against European residents in South Africa will be solved by ‘improving the quality of life in South
Africa’, which is of course a desirable aim for this and for other countries? Or does it rather intend to
include crime prevention, especially prevention of violent crime and murder, as a central issue in the
whole policy of cooperation and development between the EU and South Africa? What are the main
indicators and conclusions emerging from the programme which, in the context of the EPRD, focused on
the capacity and institutional development of the South African police?

(1) OJ C 81 E, 4.4.2002, p. 48.
(2) OJ C 65 E, 14.3.2002, p. 371.

Reply

(3 March 2003)

The Council is still of the opinion that the problem of violent crime in South Africa will be reduced by
improving the quality of life in South Africa. The Council is furthermore of the opinion that the problem
of violent crimes should be addressed in general terms and not only in relation to European residents. In
particular since South African citizens themselves, in particular the poor ones, are probably the worst
affected by this kind of crime. To incorporate crime prevention in the policy of cooperation and
development between the EU and South Africa is not a new idea as the Honourable Parliamentarian
himself points out in his question. To make crime prevention a central issue in this cooperation would
however, completely change the overall development focus of the EU, away from poverty alleviation as
stated in the common and comprehensive strategy in the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement.

The Council therefore considers that the question of crime prevention is comprehensively addressed in the
context of the EPRD.

Finally as regards the program the Council recalls that it is administrated by the Commission and
consequently the Honourable Parliamentarian should refer to the competent institution.

(2003/C 155 E/158)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3358/02

by Dana Scallon (PPE-DE) to the Council

(27 November 2002)

Subject: Research on supernumerary embryos

At its 2451st meeting held in Brussels on 30 September 2002, the Competition (Internal Market, Industry
and Research) Council adopted an arrangement under which:

the Council and Commission agreed that detailed implementing arrangements for research activities
involving the use of human embryos and human embryonic stem cells that may be financed under the

3.7.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 155 E/143

sixth framework programme would be laid down by 31 December 2003 and the Commission stated
that, until then, it would not propose to finance such research projects unless they involved banked or
isolated human embryonic stem cells in culture.

Does the term ‘banked or isolated human embryonic stem cells in culture’ mean the same thing as
‘supernumerary embryos up to 14 days’?

Is it true that funding is currently being provided under the sixth framework programme for research on
supernumerary embryos up to 14 days in countries where such research is authorised?

Reply

(20 February 2003)

As the Honourable Member will be aware, the Commission is responsible for the implementation of the
technological
Council Decision of 30 September 2002 adopting a specific programme for research,
development and demonstration:
(2002-
2006) (1) relevant to the issue in question. In this context, the Council, at its meeting on 30 September
2002, noted the intention of the Commission to submit to the programme Committee, established under
this specific programme, procedural modalities concerning research involving the use of human embryos
and human embryonic stem cells, in accordance with Article 6, paragraph 3, first indent. The Honourable
Member
information as to the
implementation of the Council Decision.

is therefore advised to turn to the Commission for any further

‘Integrating and strengthening the European Research Area’

As regards funding currently provided under the on-going framework programme,
the Honourable
Member is also advised to address the Commission as the institution responsible for the implementation of
the fifth framework programme and in particular the specific programme on quality of
life and
management of living resources (1998-2002) (2).

(1) OJ L 294, 29.10.2002, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 26, 1.2.1999, p. 1 and OJ L 64, 12.3.1999, p. 1.

(2003/C 155 E/159)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3359/02

by Dana Scallon (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(27 November 2002)

Subject: Research on supernumerary embryos

At its 2451st meeting held in Brussels on 30 September 2002, the Competition (Internal Market, Industry
and Research) Council adopted an arrangement under which:

the Council and Commission agreed that detailed implementing arrangements for research activities
involving the use of human embryos and human embryonic stem cells that may be financed under the
sixth framework programme would be laid down by 31 December 2003 and the Commission stated
that, until then, it would not propose to finance such research projects unless they involved banked or
isolated human embryonic stem cells in culture.

Does the term ‘banked or isolated human embryonic stem cells in culture’ mean the same thing as
‘supernumerary embryos up to 14 days’?

Is it true that funding is currently being provided under the sixth framework programme for research on
supernumerary embryos up to 14 days in countries where such research is authorised?