Brussels, 12/09/2012 (Agence Europe) - Donation of tissues and cells should be voluntary, not paid, and in most cases, anonymous, according to a non-binding resolution adopted by MEPs in plenary on 11 September. Written by Marina Yannakoudakis (ECR, United Kingdom), and adopted by 551 votes for, 15 against and 81 abstentions, the resolution calls on member states to ban financial incentives for donation and to clearly define the conditions in which financial compensation can be granted. The European Commission, for its part, has been asked to propose legislation to guarantee the principle of unpaid donation. The resolution also highlights the importance of bilateral agreements, which help countries meet the general tissue or cell shortage and find a donor match when they cannot do so domestically, and it highlights the advantage for EU countries of working more closely with Eurocet, the European registry of tissues and cells. Insisting on the vital importance for people suffering from leukaemia or other blood diseases of being able to benefit from a bone marrow or stem cell transplant, Yannakoudakis said: “In multi-ethnic areas (…) patients often need to look for donors abroad. Here is where we can tap into the value-added of the European Union, by sharing donor registries across the EU and saving lives.” MEPs also stress the potential benefit to medicine of using stem cells, saying that the private umbilical cord blood/stem cell banks should cooperate better and work more transparently and safely. MEPs are concerned, on the other hand, about the emerging black market for sperm and eggs, and call on the member states to take coordinated action to tackle the associated ethical and public health risks. (IL/transl.fl)