Genetic Engineering - CoE



Genetic Engineering

Keywords: Precautionary Principle, GMOs, Genetically Modified Food

LITHUANIA (2008)

Please renew the link to the webpage of Lithuanian Bioethics Committee

Events

The Eighth Global Forum on Bioethics in Research (GFBR 8), organized in cooperation with other partners in the Global Forum on Bioethics in Research, Vilnius, Lithuania, June 27-29, 2007. The 8th forum focused on Fostering the Research Ethics Infrastructure in the Developing World/Transition Societies. A special emphasis during the conference was also be made on the ethical aspects of mental health research (More: ).

Training Course on Biotechnology Ethics, organized in the framework of European project “Biotechnology Ethics: deepening by research, broadening to future applications and new EU members, permeating education to young scientist” (BIOTETHED), 19-25, August, 2007, Vilnius, Lithuania. More information about the project: .

ROMANIA (2007)

Although it hasn’t been issued any new law in the domain of bioethics there are several law projects that are under governmental and public discussion at the present moment:

1. the safety, moral and legal acceptability of the use of Genetically Modified Organisms in Romania

2. the use of genetic testing as a predictive and diagnostic tool in medicine

3. the safety, legal and moral acceptability of stem cell research

EUROPEAN COMMISSION (2007)

Science in Society Call 2007 (FP7-SiS-2007-1) and 2008 Work Programme

The evaluations for the 2007 Science in Society (SiS) call for proposals (FP7-SiS-2007-1) took place over summer 2007. For ethics, 6 projects have been selected for funding and, after finalising the contract negations, projects are expected to start early 2008.

The 2008 Work Programme will be published at the end of 2007 and will respect continuity while introducing new elements. In the 2008 call for proposals the main ethics topics are on ethics and new and emerging fields of science and technology, and on the promotion of pan-European and international awareness of the ethical aspects of security technologies. Other activities in the 2008 Work Programme include the establishment of an expert group 'Animals for experimental and other scientific purposes', in light of the forthcoming revision of the Directive on the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes (86/609/EEC). From 2010 onwards, the SiS budget will increase significantly and open new opportunities for action at Community level. Activities will therefore also prepare the transition towards more ambitious goals.

Research Integrity

Research Integrity is a very important issue for the sound development of the European Research Area. It is essential for maintaining the highest standards of research excellence as well as for maintaining public support for research funding. The 2007 Science in Society Work Programme provided financial support to the first World Conference on Research Integrity, in September 2007 in Lisbon. The conference was organised jointly by European Science Foundation and Office for Research Integrity (US). The Commission was represented in the Steering Committee and participated actively to the conference, chairing various sessions. The Commission also convened an Expert Meeting, which reflected on the challenges that individual researchers but also the European scientific system as such face in relation to Research Integrity.

Based on these reflection and the outcomes of the Lisbon conference, the Commission will further support activities on research integrity in 2008. Among others, it will contribute to the discussion at European level by supporting networking between national offices and structures in charge of Research Integrity in Europe. The aim is to further exchange of information and best practices on standards, potential sanctions and responses to breaches to Research Integrity. It will also examine efficient ways to monitor the integrity of research funded by the Framework Programme.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION (2003)

Biosociety

In April 2003 the EU launched a new website dedicated to Biosociety. In recent years, there has been a scientific revolution in life sciences and biotechnology that could have profound affects on a wide range of fields, including healthcare, agriculture and environmental protection. However, Europe has been slow to accept the possibilities and challenges posed by these emerging sciences and technologies, largely because of uncertainty over their social, economic and ethical implications. In recent Eurobarometer surveys, European citizens agreed that life sciences and biotechnology could have positive affects for society, but also expressed concern about the risks and ethics of biotechnology. Moreover, two thirds of European citizens felt that they were poorly informed about science and technology and that the scientific field was too remote and uncommunicative. This website is part of the EU's overall strategy to increase and widen the biosociety debate in Europe. It is also one of several programmes that aim to improve communication between the scientific community, the media and the general public. The site is a source of accessible and clear information for those with a general interest in biosociety, as well as detailed documentation and research updates for scientists and experts.

Sections are devoted to the three main strands of life sciences and biotechnology research: health, food quality and safety and bioethics. Each section outlines EU policy, gives details of EU funded research in this area and links to EU documents and legislation in these areas. The bioethics section also provides links to other organisations dedicated to the ethical aspects of life sciences and biotechnology and national ethics committees based in the Member States of the EU.

The EU presented its Action Plan on Life Sciences and Biotechnology in January 2002, and this was reviewed recently in a Commission Communication, Life Sciences and Technology, A Strategy for Europe. This Action Plan is summarized in the policy section of the website. The site also clarifies the

legislative process for EU biosociety legislation: the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy and the competitiveness Council of Ministers are jointly responsible for setting out the broad policy and legislative framework under which the Commission can operate in this field. Basic legislative documents on all aspects relating to life sciences and biotechnology research are also provided, from genetically modified organisms and labelling of foodstuffs to the protection on intellectual property rights.

The site also outlines EU action to promote international research and debate on biosociety issues. Under the Sixth Framework Programme for Research (FP6), ?600 million is available for international research projects. The EU also supports joint research efforts with developing countries to help target communicable diseases and food safety.

The site is aimed at stimulating interaction between researchers and social scientists, economists and ethical experts as well as the general public. An expert database allows you to search for scientific experts, either by name or under specific research areas. The webforum allows for open debate on critical biosociety issues: at the moment visitors to the site are encouraged to make their contribution to the question 'How can life sciences and biotech help meet European Society's health, environmental and economic needs?' Contributions from previous debates remain online for consultation.

The reference section of the site provides updates of the latest news and future events relating to biosociety,

official documents, catalogues of studies, brochures and reports. Definitions of specialist terms that you may come across in some of the site's documents are provided in the bio-glossary. As the site is developed, details of current and recent projects will also be provided, with profiles of some of the EU's biggest success stories.

Biosociety:



Eurobarometer:



Action Plan on Life Sciences and Biotechnology:



Life Sciences and Technology, A Strategy for Europe:



European Parliament's Committee on Industry,

External Trade, Research and Energy:



Competitiveness Council of Ministers:



FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS (FAO) (2003)

11 April 2003

(excerpt from letter from Mr Jacques Diouf, Director General of FAO to Mr Walter Schwimmer, Secretary General of the Council of Europe)

I established an independent Panel of eminent Experts on Ethics in Food and Agriculture in 2000 to advise the Organization and raise public awareness of ethical considerations associated with such vital issues as food security for present and future generations and sustainable management of the earth’s limited resources. The Panel’s contribution, both to the work of FAO and to the broader international discussion, is highly significant at a time when major developments in food and agriculture – including accelerating technological advances, changes in the resource base and evolving economic and market mechanisms – have brought a variety of ethical questions to the fore.

The Panel has addressed a number of issues, including the global emergency of hunger, the ethical challenges concerning agricultural intensification and economic globalization, the equitable sharing of the benefits of biotechnologies, intellectual property rights and ethical decision-making concerning Genetically Modified Organisms.

The FAO Ethics Programme also includes the preparation of papers within the FAO Ethics Series, on average one paper a year. The first two papers are “Ethical Issues in Food and Agriculture” and “ Genetically Modified Organisms, the Consumer, Food Safety and the Environment.” The next two papers will be “The Ethics of sustainable Agricultural Intensification” and “The Ethical Dimensions of Globalization of Food and Agriculture”, and will be published by the end of this year. Further information can be found at the FAO website at

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2002)

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Report on the Commission communication on Life sciences and biotechnology - A Strategy for Europe

(COM(2002) 27 - C5-0260/2002 - 2002/2123(COS))

Doc.: A5-0359/2002

Procedure : Consultation paper

Debate : 20.11.2002

Vote: 21.11.2002

Vote

Parliament adopted a resolution on the Commission communication on life sciences and biotechnology. The House adopted a very biotechnology friendly view on how to develop this science in future. It rejected most of the amendments proposed mainly by the Green group.

The Parliament emphasises the urgency to complete a harmonised, knowledge-based, predictable and ethical legal framework for biotechnology companies and farmers, which aims to secure consumer safety, competitiveness, the prevention of both a 'brain-drain' in this field and a future dependency on the import of biotech products. The House considers that users of biotechnological developments should bear no risk of liability under the relevant EU legislation. The MEPs say it is important to inform the public that biotechnology offers opportunities in various fields from health to agriculture and from industry to alternative energy resources. They call on the Commission to launch a ‘B-Europe’ policy in the field of biotechnology. The Parliament supports the Commission's idea to play a leading role in developing international guidelines but regrets that this action is focused mainly on the food sector; points out that the establishment of international guidelines is also necessary regarding the protection of human dignity in the field of biotechnology.

On the issue of food the Parliament strongly supports the view that the existing de-facto moratorium on GM foods in force since 1998 should cease, in order to promote innovation. The Parliament states that biotechnology alone will not help to overcome hunger in the world but underlines that it might also be necessary to use genetically modified crops to produce enough food. The Parliament states that biotechnology can contribute towards finding genuine solutions to environmental problems, sustainable development and food sufficiency. MEPs stress the need to ensure that consumers receive reliable information about GMOs so that they can choose a product on the basis of prior information and can acquire confidence in GMO products and technology.

On reproductive medicine the MEPs state that genetic testing and analysis must be conducted under clear rules within the frame of competent, independent and personal counselling which must cover medical, ethical, social, psychological and legal aspects. They reaffirm that the life and dignity of all human beings, whatever their stage of development and state of health, must be respected and is opposed to any form of research or use of life sciences and biotechnology that runs counter to this fundamental principle. The Parliament considers it important to ensure that no woman is compelled to have a pre-natal diagnosis carried out. It says that determination of sex in connection with prenatal diagnosis should be permitted only - if at all - if there is a risk of serious gender specific hereditary diseases. It also repeats its insistence that there should be a universal and specific ban at the level of the United Nations on the cloning of human beings at all stages of formation and development.

The Parliament also calls the Member States to improve education in the field of biology with a particular focus on genomes and microbiology. MEPs call for a transparent information policy based on scientific data and the media to cover the issue impartially.

Press enquiries:

Leena Maria Linnus

(Strasbourg) tel.(33) 3 881 72421

(Brussels) tel.(32-2) 28 42825

e-mail : indu-press@europarl.eu.int mailto:indu-press@europarl.eu.int

The above information comes from the following website:



Other Topics Concerned: Human Genetics

SLOVENIA (2001)

The field of biotechnology is another topic of both professional and public interest. A recent symposium open to general public allowed for a balanced public debate on the ethical issues arising from the use of gene technology, particularly in agriculture and animal farming, but also in human medicine. A draft law is presently in the parliamentary procedure, and until it is adopted, a moratorium is in place, e.g. on all field experiments as well as on importation of genetically modified food. The symposium allowed voices of lay public to be heard, e.g., the consumers' organisation, environmentalists, NGOs for sustainable development, etc., resulting in a reasonably good and tolerant discussion.

The European School of Oncology is holding an Advanced Course on Ethics in Oncology, which will also touch on the implications of the Oviedo Convention on the current medical and research practices.

Recently, a law has been passed on animal protection, which among other things, regulates the use and protection of animals in experimental medicine and in education.

Law on the protection of animals is currently in the parliamentary procedure. It will enshrine, among other things, strict rules on the use of animals in teaching and research. It will sanction any abuse.

The National Medical Ethics Committee has been involved in public debate on acceptability of gene technology, including that in agriculture and food production. Various non-governmental organisations have requested that the Slovene Government enact a moratorium on the release of all genetically modified organisms and on all related field experiments in agriculture. So far, the Government has not responded.

Other Topics Concerned: Reproductive Rights

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