Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

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

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# 91997E1016

**WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1016/97 by Amedeo AMADEO to the Commission. Cloning** 
  
*Official Journal C 367 , 04/12/1997 P. 0068*

  

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1016/97 by Amedeo Amadeo (NI) to the Commission (19 March 1997)

Subject: Cloning

Experiments conducted in laboratories in Scotland and New Zealand, albeit successful in defining a new frontier in biogenetic research, have raised the question of whether limits should be set for research and scientific experiments. Although cloning represents a major scientific breakthrough, from an ethical point of view it needs to be studied and regulated in a society with major requirements adapted to scarce resources.

Will the Commission:

1. set up a high scientific committee to study the ethical and legal implications and possible scenarios opened up by genetic cloning?

2. put forward a directive which, while confirming the conclusions of the Council of Europe's resolution of 16 March 1989 and the results of the first bioethics convention it adopted in December 1996, prohibits both human and animal cloning?

3. put forward a directive setting scientific limits that respect ethical values and serve to shield human beings from possible scientific manipulations?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-1016/97 and E-1194/97 given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (21 May 1997)

As the Honourable Member knows, the Commission immediately referred the matter to the advisory body on the ethics of biotechnology - an independent body - which should give its opinion by the end of May. The purpose is to consider in depth the ethical implications of cloning in general, in the light of the recent experiments. The advisory body has, moreover, decided to hold a round-table conference on this subject, to which Members of Parliament, representatives, high-level research scientists and other interested parties will be invited. In taking this initiative, characterized by dialogue and transparency, the advisory body has the full backing of the Commission.

The Commission is also looking at the possible implications of cloning for Community policies and considering what action it may take within its sphere of competence.

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