Life Sciences And Biotechnology A Strategy For Europe European Commission

Life Sciences And Biotechnology A Strategy For Europe European Commission

Life sciences and biotechnology — A strategy for Europe
By European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions

COM(2002) 27
European Commission

Publisher: Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities
Number Of Pages: 52
Publication Date: 2002
ISBN / ASIN: 9289433884
Binding: pdf

European Commission
Life sciences and biotechnology — A strategy for Europe
2002 — 46 pp.
ISBN 92-894-3388-4

1. The strategic challenges
Life sciences and biotechnology are widely recognised to be, after information technology, the next wave of the knowledge-based economy, creating new opportunities for our societies and economies. They also raise important policy and societal issues and have given rise to a broad public debate, as confirmed in the comprehensive public consultation carried out by the European Commission during autumn 2001 (1). These issues must be addressed with great care and sensitivity.

In Europe, however, the relevant responsibilities fall across a broad range of policies and actors. In the absence of a shared vision of what is at stake and without common objectives and effective coordination, Europe has therefore only slowly and with difficulty addressed the challenges and opportunities of these new technologies. Our democratic societies should offer the necessary safeguards and channels of dialogue to ensure that the development and application of life sciences and biotechnology take place respecting the fundamental values recognised by the European Union in the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Europe is faced with a major policy choice: either accept a passive and reactive role, and bear the implications of the development of these technologies elsewhere, or develop proactive policies to exploit them in a responsible manner, consistent with European values and standards. The longer Europe hesitates, the less realistic this second option will be. The Community is competent on important policy aspects of relevance, and the Commission therefore has a particular responsibility to assist in finding ways forward. The present initiative proposes a framework for this.

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