Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

[**Avis juridique important**](../../../editorial/legal_notice.htm)

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# 91997E3551

**WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3551/97 by Gianni TAMINO to the Commission. Experiments on embryos** 
  
*Official Journal C 187 , 16/06/1998 P. 0020*

  

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3551/97 by Gianni Tamino (V) to the Commission (12 November 1997)

Subject: Experiments on embryos

The media have widely reported that an English biologist, Jonathan Slaek, has produced headless frogs by means of manipulation during the development of the embryo. This method makes it possible to develop embryos containing only certain organs. As Slaek himself states, it is hoped to extend this method to mammals, including human beings, so as to obtain a kind of 'organ factory' through the use of cloning.

Given that many researchers in various European states have said that similar experiments are being conducted in their laboratories, will the Commission state in what research centres such experiments are taking place and whether such research work is compatible with the Convention on human rights and biomedicine, as adopted by the Council of Europe in November 1996 and signed by nine EU Member States (Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden), and generally with EU law and EP resolutions?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (30 January 1998)

The Commission is aware of the media attention being given to the experiments referred to by the Honourable Member.

This type of research in no way forms part of the Community framework research and technological development (TRD) programmes that are either in progress (4th Framework Programme) ((OJ L 117, 8.5.1990. )) or awaiting a decision (5th Framework Programme) ((COM(97) 142 final. )). The Commission feels that this type of research is incompatible with basic ethical principles.

These principles are covered by Article 6 of the proposed 5th Framework Programme, and by a reference in Article 10 of the proposal for a decision on the rules governing participation in research activities (Article 130J).

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