Ethical implications of biotechnology
The European Commission established an independent advisory group on the ethical implications of biotechnology in 1991. The group's second mandate was completed in 1996, and the Commission has published a booklet giving information on its activities and opinions adopted. The group consists of nine members, and may also consult outside experts. Generally, it gives opinions on issues at the request of the Commission, although it may also adopt opinions on its own initiative. The opinions adopted by the group since 1991 are on: - The use of performance-enhancers in agriculture and fisheries; - The products derived from human blood or human plasma; - The legal protection of biotechnological inventions; - Gene therapy; - Labelling of foods derived from modern biotechnology; - Prenatal diagnosis; - The genetic modifications of animals; - The patenting of inventions involving elements of human origin.