The European Commission vetoed the petition signed by two million citizens to ban research on human embryonic cells
Two million signatures were not enough. The European Commission has rejected the petition launched by "One of Us" in order to stop the funding of scientific research that uses human embryonic stem cells or the financing of cooperation programs that include abortion. "The question is—says Ana Del Pino, Executive Coordinator of One of Us—what sense it has to make so many efforts to raise nearly two million signatures, if the Commission then substantially unceremoniously flouts the initiative. It‘s a farce." "The Committee One of Us–a statement says–, expresses its deep disappointment towards a deaf Commission which today makes a decision contrary to ethical and democratic requirements, it is the European Legislature that may give a verdict on the content of the Initiative, and not the Commission."
According to the Board of "One of us," the Commission "wishes to continue financing non ethical and outdated biotechnological practices, as well as abortion in developing countries including countries where this is prohibited by criminal law." Moreover, the response that has been given "is hypocritical and disdainful as it pretends to not understand the purpose of the demand." The only recourse is to appeal to the Court of Justice of the European Union.
Read the comments of the scientists>>
Read the opinion of Augusto Pessina, Professor of Microbiology and Head of the Laboratory of Cell Culture, University of Milan>>