Proposed Council Decision on "Integrating and strengthening the European research area" (2002-2006) (link)

Brussels, Nov 2003

Amended proposal for a
COUNCIL DECISION
amending decision 2002/834/EC on the specific programme for research, technological development and demonstration: "Integrating and strengthening the European research area" (2002-2006)
Full Text

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

1. BACKGROUND

30 September 2002: adoption of the Decision concerning the specific programme "Integrating and strengthening the European Research Area" under the 6th RTD Framework Programme.

23 April 2003: Inter-institutional Seminar on research into human embryonic stem cells.

9 July 2003: Commission proposal amending the Decision concerning the specific programme.

29 October 2003: Endorsed by the European Economic and Social Committee.

19 November 2003: Adoption of Parliament's opinion with 18 amendments to the Commission's proposal.

2. AIM OF THE COMMISSION'S PROPOSAL

The Commission's proposal follows on from the Council meeting of 30 September 2002 which adopted the specific programme "Integrating and strengthening the European Research Area" under the 6th Framework Programme. The Commission proposal, based on Article 166(4), sets out a coherent set of guidelines concerning the principles which should govern decisions concerning Community financing of research projects involving the procurement of stem cells from supernumerary human embryos.

In order to allay fears that Community funding might indirectly encourage the production of embryos by in vitro fertilisation (IVF) over and above the number required, and to send out a political signal, the Commission is proposing that only supernumerary embryos created before June 2002 (date of adoption of the 6th Framework Programme) can be used.

3. COMMISSION OPINION ON THE AMENDMENTS ADOPTED BY PARLIAMENT stage was 3 and start_intro was incked.

Brussels, 26.11.2003 COM (2003) 749 final 2003/0151 (CNS)