Parliament offers mixed biotechnology advice
The European Parliament's Temporary Committee on Human Genetics, meeting on 30 January, urged more caution in biotechnology legislation, but less in investment decisions. The committee, meeting for the first time, convened to discuss the legal aspects of biotechnology and the right to apply for patents for living organisms. Noëlle Lenoir, chair of the European Commission's European Group on Ethics (EGE) stressed that Europe needs a strong presence in biotechnology research, and underlined the importance of public investment. She recommended that the EU support the most important research in the light of strategic objectives, and not worry about returns on investments. If the EU plans to legislate on biotechnology, it must proceed with great caution, said Ms Lenoir. She added that, due to the divergences between cultures, a 'subsidiarity in science', allowing Member States to carry out independent research is necessary. This does not however diminish the need for an EU position on bio-ethical issues, which would provide guidelines for research, Ms Lenoir emphasised. As regards patents on discoveries of living organisms, Ms Lenoir did not expect any change to take place to restrict their scope. If patent rights are observed, the price is certainly high, as royalties normally have to be paid for the use of a discovery. However, Ms Lenoir did not see what could be done about this, saying it is standard practice in research.