Patenting Of Life Forms

EDM number 200 in 1997-98, proposed by Norman Baker on 03/07/1997.

That this House notes the rapid developments in biotechnology in the last year, including cloning of animals (Dolly), cross-species hybrids (such as mice with human chromosomes) and the first imports of genetically engineered foods into Europe (such as soya and maize); notes that members of the European Parliament will vote on the draft Directive on the Legal Protection of Biotechnological Inventions in the week starting 14th July 1997; is concerned that the draft Directive remains almost identical to the previous draft, which members of the European Parliament rejected in 1995, and will make possible the patenting of human body parts and genes, plants, entire animals and their progeny; is strongly concerned that there has been no debate in this House, not any consultation of the public on the implications of this draft Directive, and the change to patent law; urges the Government to create time for a full and thorough parliamentary debate on the human, social, environmental, animal welfare, and economic implications of the draft Directive; and further urges the members of the European Parliament to vote no to the patenting of life-forms and genes at this given moment.

This motion has been signed by a total of 23 MPs.