Busquin welcomes Parliament's genetics committee
European Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin has welcomed the European Parliament's initiative to set up an enquiry committee on genetics. MEPs voted in favour of setting up the temporary committee, which will examine new developments in human genetics and related new technologies in modern medicine, on 13 December. The committee will consist of 36 members and will have a 12 month tenure. Principal areas to be examined include ethical, legal, economic and social issues related to new developments in the medical field. The group will also take public interest into account. 'It is evident that the advances in genetics will have a profound impact on our lives and on our societies. By examining all the issues in a political forum such as the European Parliament, the enquiry committee will contribute to and complement the Commission's own efforts to reconcile science and society', said Mr Busquin. The Commissioner added that the committee can rely on his full cooperation and that of the Research DG. Earlier in the year, Mr Busquin set up a high level group on life sciences consisting of top-level European scientists. One of the group's tasks is to advise the Commissioner on imminent and foreseeable developments in life sciences, particularly in genetics, and on how to build a better dialogue with society. The Commission also published a call for proposals last month to support innovative ways of communicating on genetics.