Strasbourg, 07/09/2001 (Agence Europe) - With the adoption of the report by Giuseppe Nistico (EPP, Italy), the European Parliament amended, at first reading (codecision), the proposal of directive establishing quality and safety norms for the collection, control, processing, storage and distribution of human blood and of blood derived products. The Parliament mainly insists that blood donations must be free of charge, as is recommended, moreover, by the Council of Europe. Member States normally respect this principle, but Austria is an exception as donors may be paid. Other amendments aim to guarantee a high level of safety and quality of blood products, specifying certain rules of traceability. The Parliament also introduces a provision guaranteeing the protection of personal data concerning the donor. It calls on the Commission to present another proposal on the quality and safety of tissue and cells of human origin with a view to using adult stem cells and cells from blood from the umbilical cord of new born babies for therapeutic purposes.