In the news

Today (26 April) sees the second in a series of meetings of a temporary committee set up by the European Parliament to consider the problems and opportunities arising from developments in human genetics. The committee, consisting of 36 Members of the European Parliament, will function until the end of 2001. During the year it is holding a series of expert hearings on the medical, ethical, legal and social/economic implications of genetics. It will then prepare a report to inform the European Parliament and other institutions of the European Union. The April meeting includes presentations on research involving embryos and cloning, and genetics in medicine. Citizens of the European Union are invited to express their views on any of the topics considered by the committee, via its website.