Prodi, ethics and science
EU Commission President Romano Prodi expressed on 18 October, his desire to see more ethics introduced into science and technology while speaking at a meeting organised by the European Ethics Group (EEG), and held at the Commission's headquarters in Brussels,. The President stressed his strong interest in the EEG's opinion concerning the issue of research on human tissue, which will be made public in Paris on 14 November. On the controversial topic of patenting biotechnological discoveries, Mr Prodi urged the EEG to examine research on human tissues together with patenting laws. He expressed his hope that the opinion will be adopted before the end of 2000. Mr Prodi also stated that he intends to reinforce the statute of the EEG, which currently plays a consultative role. The exact form that these changes will take will be announced at the end of the year.