B3-1519/93

Resolution on the cloning of the human embryo

The European Parliament,

A.alarmed by reports in the international press that the first known cloning of human embryos has taken place, as announced by Dr Jerry L. Hall of George Washington University Medical Center in the United States at a recent meeting of the American Fertility Society in Montreal,

B.having regard to the risks of eugenic practices which are made possible by the cloning of human beings and the commercialisation which accompanies genetic engineering research, including that on the human genome,

C.in the firm conviction that the cloning of human beings, whether on an experimental basis, in the context of fertility treatments, preimplantation diagnosis, for tissue transplantation, or for any other purpose whatsoever, is unethical, morally repugnant, contrary to respect for the person, and a grave violation of fundamental human rights which cannot under any circumstances be justified or accepted,

D.concerned that similar experiments and practices could be taking place in the European Community, both in the context of publicly funded research and in the private sector,

E.having regard to the numerous statements of moral outrage expressed by political leaders and bodies throughout the world, including that of the German Bundestag calling for the enactment of EC legislation which would prohibit the cloning of humans,

F.having regard to the resolutions on bioethics adopted and under consideration by the European Parliament,

1.Condemns the cloning of humans for any purpose whatsoever, including research, as a grave violation of fundamental human rights, contrary to respect for the individual, morally repugnant, and ethically unacceptable;

2.Calls on the Commission to submit immediately a proposal for a Council Decision prohibiting throughout the European Community the cloning of human beings for any purpose whatsoever, including research;

3.Calls on scientists, researchers and practitioners of human reproduction technologies, both publicly funded and in the private sector, in the period prior to the enactment of such a legally binding prohibition, to pledge voluntarily not to engage in the cloning of human embryos for any purpose whatsoever;

4.Declares its willingness to organize a world conference designed to bring about an international agreement to ban cloning of human beings and its applications;

5.Declares its intention to undertake a more thorough examination of the issues raised by the reality of cloning humans by means of a parliamentary report or hearing, and/or other appropriate measures;

6.Calls on the Commission to report quickly to Parliament on (i) whether human embryo cloning is taking place in the European Community and (ii) the legal situation in the Member States concerning the cloning of human embryos;

7.Urges the Community to take initiatives in the appropriate international fora aimed at achieving an international accord for a worldwide ban on the cloning of humans, and declares its wish to participate in such negotiations;

8.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments of the Member States, the Council of Europe and all parliamentary assemblies in the world.