Maire Geoghegan-Quinn, the European Commissioner for Research Innovation and Science has rejected the ‘One of Us’ Citizens’ Initiative, which called for an end to EU funding of of organisations that perform abortions and of embryonic stem cell research, which destroys the embryo.
The initiative had gathered over 2 million signatures – more than double the amount required to have the Commission consider a Citizens’ Initiative, a new power granted to EU citizens by the Lisbon Treaty.
The outgoing Commission, on its last day in office, decided not to refer the ‘One of Us’ proposal to the European Parliament for debate, on the basis that ‘Member States and the European Parliament have only recently discussed and decided EU policy in this regard.’
Ms Geoghegan-Quinn said: “We have engaged with this Citizens’ Initiative and given its request all due attention. However, Member States and the European Parliament agreed to continue funding research in this area for a reason. Embryonic stem cells are unique and offer the potential for life-saving treatments, with clinical trials already underway. The Commission will continue to apply the strict ethical rules and restrictions in place for EU-funded research, including that we will not fund the destruction of embryos.”
In a press release, the ‘One of Us’ organising committee called the commission’s decision “an unjustifiable veto which flouts the democratic procedure”. They said that the battle was far from over, and that the Commission’s decision was likely to be appealed before the European Court of Justice.
Responding to the news, Cora Sherlock of the Pro-Life Campaign said:
“The dismissive undemocratic attitude of the European Commission towards the ‘One of Us’ petition is most disappointing. Two million people from 20 Member States signed the petition in the hope that the European Commission would give it serious consideration and show that the European Citizens Initiative (ECI) was a meaningful and worthwhile way to engage with the Commission.
“There is no justification for the Commission’s refusal to commit to ending funding of destructive embryonic research. All of the major medical breakthroughs in recent years have been in the area of ethically-sound research yet much of the hype has centred around embryonic stem cell research which destroys human life and has resulted in no significant medical or scientific advances.”
“Pro-life groups are among the strongest advocates of stem cell research. What we oppose is research that destroys human life at its earliest stages. Regrettably once again the European Commission has shown by its actions that it cannot be relied upon to defend the most basic of all human rights, the right to life.”
