Strasbourg, 15/06/2000 (Agence Europe) - During a press conference, German Christian Democrat Peter Liese warned against the attempts, which he says are taking shape in the United Kingdom and in other European countries, at easing the general ban on human cloning. There is also a majority in favour of lifting this ban within the Ethical Advisory Group at the European Commission, affirmed Mr Liese, who notes that this trend is generally motivated by therapeutic indications, mainly linked to organ transplants. Mr Liese explained that the therapeutic benefits expected cannot justify the use of human embryos for organ manufacture. The idea consisting of neutralising the development of the brain of embryos by using neuro-toxic substances is quite unacceptable. Other therapeutic solutions exist for producing tissue and organs in laboratory conditions. Mr Liese insisted on the respect of human life and dignity, and stressed that there is no technical difference between cloning for therapeutic ends and that for reproductive purposes. He launched an appeal to Tony Blair and the other heads of government not to ease the legislation in this field, and invited the Member States that do not have legislation banning human cloning to immediately take such a measure. The Convention responsible for drawing up the future Charter of Fundamental Rights is invited to confirm this ban by using the precise terms used by the European Parliament and the EU Council in the directive on the patentability of biotechnological inventions.