Brussels, 30/09/2002 (Agence Europe) - On Monday, the "Competitiveness" Council adopted specific programmes forming the last essential element for implementation of the 6th Framework Programme for Research and Development (FPRD). The result was welcomed by Danish Minister for Science and Technology Helge Sander, who stressed that there will be no interruption in Community funding between the end of the 5th and the beginning of the 6th FPRDs. The Council also approved the compromise on ethics that takes on board the Commission's proposal aimed at allowing a broad debate on stem cells and a formal but not binding consultation of the Parliament (see also EUROPE of 27 September, p.12). Mr Sander said he hoped a decision on ethical aspects could be adopted before the end of 2003. As was to be expected, Italy, whose government is opposed to all Community funding of research projects into human embryonic stem cells, voted against the first specific programme. This did not prevent Commissioner Philippe Busquin from expressing delight at the agreement reached by qualified majority, since it allows all delays to be avoided in the implementation of the new framework programme. He also recalled that the Commission is organising, from 11 to 13 November in Brussels, a major conference to launch the 6th FPRD, to be attended by 4,000 participants.
Final compromise on ethical aspects of stem cell research
The Council and the Commission agree that an ethical framework for research activities involving the use of human embryos and human embryonic stem cells should be established by 31 December 2003. In the meantime, the Commission will not propose Community funding for such research, with the exception of the study of banked or isolated human embryonic stem cells in culture. The Commission will follow the evolution of legislation and ethical rules concerning this field and will report to the Council and Parliament in September 2003.
The Council noted the European Commission's plans to present a report to Council and Parliament in spring 2003 on research in this area, which will form the basis of an inter-institutional seminar on bioethics. On the results of the seminar, the European Commission will draw up a proposal (based on Treaty Article 166) setting out guidelines for EU funding for research projects using human embryos and stem cells. The Council and Commission "will do their utmost, counting on the support of the EP, to complete the legislative procedure as early as possible and at the latest in December 2003". "The Council and the Commission expect that the seminar will contribute, as suggested by the EP, to a Europe-wide and well-structured discussion process on ethical issues of modern biotechnology, in order to enhance public understanding."
Italy, Germany, Austria and Portugal have expressed reservations about the dossier. The Italian declaration admits that the compromise is significant progress, but feels that EU funding for human embryo stem call projects should only cover stem cells isolated and stored in cell banks before the date of implementation of FP6. It justifies its No vote by its refusal to fund any research projects directly or indirectly involving the destruction of human embryos. Portugal basically makes the same arguments as Italy, while Austria has rallied to the German declaration. Germany also argues that the exception granted to stem cells stored in cell banks should be restricted to stem cells already stored, stressing that it is expecting the European Commission to respect this compromise in the framework of the second specific programme as well.
Council and Commission took note of the process of reforming the COST intergovernmental research body, run by the Commission up until now. No funding has been earmarked for this in the new Framework Programme, but the Commission could contribute to COST's secretariat for a several-month transition period. Given COST's recent expansion and the rising number of research projects, the Council and Commission admit that substantial funding from FP6 might be justified. The Council welcomes the Commission's plan to become a COST partner in order to extend synergy between COST and FP6 and called on the Commission to all that was necessary in this connection.