Doc. 8807
10 July 2000

Appeal against the patentability of human genes

Written Declaration No. 305

This written declaration commits only the members who have signed it

      The undersigned, members of the Assembly,

      Wish to attract the attention of the international community and in particular the European Community, to the question of the patentability of human genes;

      Consider that the human genome is the common property of all humanity, and refuse to accept the ownership of gene sequences implied by the logic patents;

      Are opposed to the European Directive 98/44/CE of 6 July 1998 being adopted as law and ask for an immediate moratorium to allow its renegotiation, together with the suspension of all patent attributions on the human genome;

      Consider that the human body, including its genes, is not a commodity;

Believe that the gravity of this question requires an open debate involving the entire population and that it is vital that each state organise a national debate before taking a decision that will have far-reaching consequences, since the future of mankind depends on it.

Signed (see overleaf)

Signed : ¹

Mattéi, France, LDR

Wodarg, Germany, SOC

Alis Font, Andorra, NR

Angelovicova, Slovakia, SOC

Auken, Denmark, UEL

Behrendt, Germany, SOC

Birraux, France, EPP/CD

Bordas, France, EDG

Duka-Zolyomi, Slovakia, EPP/CD

Fernandez Aguilar, Spain, EPP/CD

Lauricella, Italy, SOC

Liiv, Estonia, LDR

McCafferty, United Kingdom, SOC

Plattner, Switzerland, SOC

Rakhansky, Ukraine,UEL

Rapson, United Kingdom, SOC

Raskinis, Lithuania, EPP/CD

Steolea, Romania, EDG

Vis, United Kingdom, SOC

von der Esch, Sweden, EPP/CD

Wittbrodt, Poland, EPP/CD

____________________

Total = 21

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG:European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL : Group of the Unified European Left

      NR : Not registered in a group