Recurring to the contents of a document published in 2000, the European Ethics Group (EEG) presented the president of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, with a new opinion (though not a unanimous one) on the possible patenting of human stem cells. The EEG, chaired by Noëlle Lenoir, starts out from the assumption that to impose a blanket ban on the award of patents for stem cells, or for stem cell cultures, would be tantamount to impeding research. In spite of that, the Group emphasizes the need to define conditions and limitations for the issuing of such patents. Excluding patenting for any kind of non-modified stem cells, the EEG is of the opinion that “only stem cells modified through in vitro treatment or genetically with a view to acquiring the necessary characteristics for precise industrial applications would satisfy the juridical requirements for patenting”. The document, which was not unanimously approved by the members of the EEG, defines as conditions for patenting: innovation, activity of invention and industrial application. It stresses, moreover, that any application for a patent relating to human stem cells must specify the provenance of the cells in question.
