Brussels, 22/06/2001 (Agence Europe) - On the eve of the meeting, on Tuesday in Luxembourg, of the Ministers for Research, who will dedicate a significant part of their talks to the draft 6th Framework Research Programme (FRDP), recently completed with proposals from the European Commission on specific programme, we return to the latest contributions to the debate that has intensified over recent weeks.
The Greens/European Free Alliance group recently organised a one-day colloquium to which took part the Swedish Secretary of State for Research, Carl Lindberg, Commissioner Philippe Busquin, and the EP rapporteur, Gerard Caudron as well as scientists from various Member States. Drawing for EUROPE the conclusions from this meeting, the French Green Yves Pietrasanta noted that the debate allowed to better isolate the main innovations of the Commission plan, which clearly move away from the "opacity and complexity" of the fifth framework programme which, he said, was "monstrous". Most of the speakers underlined the importance of research for the future, indicated Mr Pietrasanta when underlining that investment into research is more important that spending allocated to infrastructure (for example transport). Among the priorities of the group, following this colloquium, he cited: - the continuation of the building of the European Research Area; - emphasis on European intervention; - the humanisation of the framework programme, which could notably be achieved through the increasing of credits allocated to human sciences and science/citizen relations; - taking into account sustainable development in all the aspects of the framework programme; - greater attention for ethical issues in the sectors of biotechnology and genomics; - a re-balancing of the budget dedicated to energy in favour of renewable energies.
Further contributions also appeared on the website of Mr Caudron. Below is a brief overview. The European Plant Sciences Organisation (EPSO) underlines that research into plant genomes may, due to certain similarities with the genes responsible for diseases in humans and animals, contribute towards a better understanding of certain phenomenon such as programmed cell death, the cell cycle, oxidising stress and immunology mechanisms.
EPSO also underlines the possibilities offered by the genome map of the weed Arabidopsis for studying biological processes having a special connotation for human biology and that are easier to access and experiment on with plants, like epigenics, polyploidy (state of a cell or an individual having more than two sets of chromosomes) and genome plasticity. EPSO calls for this type of research to be mentioned in the chapter devoted to genomes. It would also like an additional action entitled "plants for a healthy diet" to be added to the priority issue devoted to food safety.
The European Live Sciences Forum - which brings together different organizations specialized in molecular biology (EMBO), arteriosclerosis (EAS), biochemicals (FEBS), neuro-sciences (FENS), bio-technologies (EFB), cystic fibrosis (ECFS), gene therapy (ESGT), etc. - stress that certain aspects of the 6th RDFP are "extremely interesting in that they demonstrate a visionary spirit that has at time been lacking in the past". "The scientific community especially appreciates the emphasis placed on the principle of excellence, as well as efforts made to promote fundamental research through networks of excellence", says the Forum, which, however, considers that "some essential challenges for the future of science and research in Europe are not adequately taken into consideration in the Commission's project". It then cites the need to improve the project assessment procedure and to set up a career development programme (support for mobility and a mechanism for the return and reintegration of researchers).
Among the contributions of Socialist MEPs, we find that of German Social-Democrat Helmut Kuhne who regrets a too centralist approach and would like an increase in the overall budget. He also criticizes the inadequate representation of social and socio-economic sciences. Mr. Kuhne proposes a new thematic programme focused on cultural sciences and human sciences so as to promote a genuine European identity for citizens. For British Labour MEP, Gordon Adam, the programmes ought to be flexible and easy to adapt during the period. Mr. Adam says he is concerned at the lack of reference to fossil energies and the low importance granted to the nuclear fusion programme.