Genetic Patenting

EDM number 755 in 1990-91, proposed by Keith Vaz on 25/04/1991.

That this House notes with concern the proposed EC Directive which will allow the patenting of genetically engineered animals and plants, and which is designed to foster research in this field; believes that such patenting implies an ethically unacceptable view of animals as instruments for human use and exploitation and will lead to an increase in animal suffering such as that of the American pigs with human growth gene, which were arthritic and impotent and had deformed skulls; further believes that such patenting will increase the control of large concerns over genetic resources, thus harming the interests of farmers and of the Third World; further believes that it will lead to higher prices and curtailment of consumer choice; and calls upon Her Majesty's Government to reject this directive and to advocate a moratorium on patenting of life forms to allow time for public debate.

This motion has been signed by a total of 36 MPs.