Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2000-09-07-Speech-4-102"
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"en.20000907.2.4-102"2
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".
The recent decision by the Governments of the United Kingdom and the United States of America to allow the cloning of human embryos, in order to create ‘spare part stores’ for bones and vital organs, raises huge questions and problems. This decision was taken before giving due consideration to numerous crucial medical, moral and social issues. No one disputes the fact that rapid developments in genetic and molecular biology have opened up new paths for science, reduced the gulf between the impossible and the feasible and given us hope that we can combat the diseases and illnesses which are the scourge of mankind.
At the same time, however, and precisely because biomedical science has incalculable potential and a tremendous ability to penetrate every aspect of human life and development, turning dreams to nightmares, both the scientific community and society as a whole at all levels need to address the urgent and vital question of who should have control of this new, highly powerful scientific ‘weapon’ and why?
Where capitalism in its most unadulterated and depressing form and the unbridled market economy rule, there is a fine, indiscernible line between the scientific motives and speculative madness of the multinational pharmaceutical monopolies. It is criminal for issues which impinge on human existence itself, on life and death, to be commercialised beyond the bounds of any social or political control. The rapid rate of advance in this area, with crucial questions unanswered and matters of capital importance pending, is fraught with danger, given the huge economic interests hiding behind this endeavour.
The ‘therapeutic cloning’ plan will be the spark that kindles the fire since no one can guarantee that limited and specific use will be made of cloning. The cloning of embryos could become the ‘Trojan horse’ which rekindles attempts to clone or ‘counterfeit’ human beings, with unpredictable and possibly dramatic consequences for the human race, and it must be averted.
The biggest risk is not inherent in the power of science but in the erroneous and uncontrolled exploitation and application of science. And when these activities are conducted in the context of the profit motive and its obscure interests, then we must be especially attentive and constantly vigilant."@en1
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