BRAVE NEW WORLD' FEAR OVER NEW BIOTECH CHARTER
PA 15.07.97 03:48
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By Geoff Meade, European Editor, PA News, in Brussels
New rules on the ownership of biotech inventions have been
condemned as creating a "brave new world" of social
engineering.
But supporters of the European Union's biotechnology patenting
directive, expected to be approved by Euro-MPs in Strasbourg
today, say it offers hope to thousands of people suffering from
genetic diseases.
The legislation would prevent the patenting of "procedures
for human reproductive cloning", but it would allow the
patenting of human parts production or of human-animal hybrids.
The move has been welcomed by the European Alliance of Genetic
Support Groups as crucial to encourage continued research into
cures for genetic ailments.
"The patenting of biotechnology is essential for the
application of modern and innovative technology to the prevention
and cure of disease," said the organisation's president
Alastair Kent.
"People suffering from disease urgently need treatments and
cures for their conditions. This will only be possible with a
secure patent system. Eighty-five per cent of known diseases have
no effective treatment, let alone cure."
But the National Federation of Women's Institutes says "life
patenting" should be banned.
"The past year has seen extraordinary developments in
biotechnology Dolly the sheep produced by cloning, a mouse with
human chromosomes, and a whole harvest of genetically-engineered
food," said NFWI chairwoman Eileen Meadmore. "None of
these are addressed in the new directive."
"We don't wish to see a brave new worlds of social
engineering. The potential benefits for medical research must be
fully balanced by inherent ethical considerations.
"We urge MEPs to vote against amendments which would allow
patenting of life, and to vote for amendments which will ban the
patenting of genes, plants, animals and human body parts".