Rights of women and ethical, socio-cultural risks and consequences of new technologies based on women's eggs and embryos

Doc. 8972
5 February 2001

Rights of women and ethical, socio-cultural risks and consequences of new technologies based on women's eggs and embryos

Motion for a resolution

presented by Mrs Herczog and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only

the members who have signed it

1. The new technologies based on "cell removal from living donors" simply means the use of women's eggs for organ production. The scientific terminology shows only the pure, scientific approach, without taking into consideration the rights of women, and the legal, social or ethical consequences.

2. As there is a shortage of available organs and tissues, as well as donors for transplantation on the one hand and a demand for these organs and tissues on the other hand, it is a potential place for crime.

3. The Council of Europe has to achieve legislation throughout Europe so that women have the freedom to choose and are not forced, even by ethical arguments, to give their eggs for use.

4. The Council of Europe member countries are significantly different in their use of these techniques. Some of the member states are potential countries of origin, others are countries of high demand.

5. To use embryos for organ production is a another method of abortion. Therefore, the legislation in Council of Europe member states must be reviewed.

6. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe should therefore review the potential risks and consequences to women, and prepare a recommendation on freedom of women with a free choice of reproduction.

Signed (see overleaf)

Signed : ¹

Herczog, Hungary, SOC

Aguiar, Portugal, EPP/CD

Akgönenç, Turkey, EDG

Err, Luxembourg, SOC

Gjellerod, Denmark, SOC

Gross, Switzerland, SOC

Gülek, Turkey, SOC

Kurucsai, Hungary, EPP/CD

Nagy, Hungary, EPP/CD

Paleckova, Czech Republic, EDG

Patarkalishvili, Georgia, EPP/CD

Popescu, Ukraine, SOC

Sehnalova, Czech Republic, SOC

Telek, Turkey, EDG

Zarubinsky, Ukraine, EDG

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