Patenting And Medical Research

EDM number 233 in 1997-98, proposed by Ian Gibson on 10/07/1997.

That this House applauds the rapid advances in medical genetics and the progress being achieved in the battle to treat serious diseases; notes that patient groups, academics, clinical genetics, medical research charities, industry and trade unions support the European Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee Report on the Biotechnology Patenting Directive; welcomes the fact that a full and open debate in Brussels has ensured that ethical, animal welfare and other important issues have been resolved successfully; and also notes the alarmist material produced by opponents of the directive which has not assisted in producing any genuine scientific understanding of the issues involved and helps to fuel an unhealthy anti-science culture; further notes that biotechnology will be one of the key job creating industries in the next century and that Britain must maintain its leading position in this science; and welcomes and echoes the call of the President of the Board of Trade for all members of the European Parliament to support the directive when it comes up for vote.

This motion has been signed by a total of 30 MPs.