Issue 248 18 June 2007 INSIDE: Europabio’s Stephanie Pingitzer The Big Donor show: Frédérique Ries on organ donation Making life healthier: The Joint Research Centre in action Medical Research ADVANCED THERAPIES – ETHICS VS POLITICS NANOTECHNOLOGY PLUS: UNDER THE MICROSCOPE Profile: Helmuth Markov Expert comment Wolfgang Heusel, Diana and analysis from: Wallis & Klaus-Heiner Mark Morrison Lehne on ERA’s birthday Mihail Roco Bulgarian MEPs, Romanian Markus Pridoehl PM visit, Ukraine Issue 248 18 June 2007 Editor’s comment not only want one permanent After the “no” vote in France, he could seat for the European parliament show that he was pro-reform of the EU and Strasbourg is a beautiful Alsatian but that 81 per cent want the was willing to take the practical step of town but the monthly commute seat to be in Brussels and to end allowing the EU to work more effectively blights the lives of MEPs and the monthly trips to Strasbourg. and efficiently by having one site for the their staff. Some deputies have to 84 per cent also believed that parliament. He could send a clear message leave as early as Sunday in order parliament should be able to on climate change and carbon foot prints by to arrive for meetings. Which decide on its own location. To date ending the Strasbourg sojourn. member state would allow their this poll marks the most extensive The timing could not be better as national parliaments to work survey of MEPs on the one-seat discussions over the demise of the constitution from two sites? The European question. There is no doubt that and the debate on treaty changes provides parliament is the only parliament in the world MEPs would welcome change. prime ministers and presidents with an ideal which has no say over where it sits. The decision So will the French finally say “au revoir” to opportunity to end the Strasbourg travelling rests with the member state governments and Strasbourg? The new president of France has circus once and for all. The political climate is this has to change. an opportunity to show his true European right, the timing is right and the opportunity is The campaign for parliamentary reform credentials. As someone not afraid of sticking there. For the sake of the EU and its legitimacy, (CPR) has just conducted a poll of MEP his neck out he would gain a huge amount of please stop Strasbourg! opinion on the one-seat issue. 306 MEPs voted political kudos if he allowed the European and the results confirm that 89 per cent of MEPs parliament to choose its own home. Catherine Stihler MEP COVERSTORY “Strongly held ethical or religious beliefs are all well and good – indeed, we are Medical research constantly being reminded of the important role such beliefs played in the creation of 26 Ethics vs. politics the EU – but political considerations have The controversy surrounding April’s to take precedence in parliament” vote on advanced therapies shows the difficulty of reconciling ethics with the opportunity to provide vital treatment. Chris Jones reports “Cell therapy can also be used to repair 29 Medical breakthrough heart tissue damage after a heart attack – heart disease is on the increase, and New rules harmonising the way in which more than 1.5 million people in the EU die advanced therapies are assessed and every year from it, despite a wide number approved will be good for both patients of pharmaceutical treatments” and business, says Stefanie Pingitzer 32 The gift of life The European public widely supports organ donation, so why is there still a “Every day, almost 10 people die in Europe lack of coordination between member while waiting for an organ transplant. The states on this issue, asks Frédérique Ries mortality rate of patients waiting for a 43 Science for healthier living heart, liver or lung transplant is between 15 and 30 per cent” The EU’s joint research centre is involved in a variety of projects designed to make life healthier and safer for European citizens 4 PARLIAMENTMAGAZINE 18 June 2007 NEWSANALYSIS SPECIALREPORT 6 News Nanotechnology Up and coming news 49 Nanotechnology for EU 9 Plenary preview Although not a cure all for the world’s ills, nanotechnology has the Pension rights, the definition of vodka and the trade in cat and dog fur potential to address some of the pressing issues of our time, reports are all up for debate at this week’s Strasbourg session Mark Morrison 12 A smoke free-life for everyone 55 Standard bearer Partial bans on smoking in public places do little to help tackle the root International standards are vital if we are to fully explore the potential problem of tobacco-related illness, says Michael Forrest of nanotechnology, argues Dr Mihail Roco 15 Laying down the law 59 From science to business ERA is gearing up to celebrate 15 years of training and debate for New products based on nanotechnology are already making life easier Europe’s legal practitioners. Wolfgang Heusel reviews the academy’s and safer for thousands of people, claims Degussa’s Markus Pridoehl history and role 18 Respect for the law INSIDEEU Two prominent MEPs tell Parliament Magazine why, after 15 years, the Academy of European Law is more vital to Europe’s future than ever 62 Chewing the fat Obesity is gaining ground in Europe, turning into a key political issue. 21 Making things happen Will the European commission’s new proposals reverse the trend? There is no need for new measures to complete the liberalisation of EU Anne-France White reports gas markets, just the correct implementation of existing rules, argues Jean-Paul Gauzès 64 Fresh faces Rumyana Vakarelska looks at the wave of Bulgarian MEPs who have just joined parliament “The effectiveness of national market liberalisation openings has depended 66 The in crowd on the manner in which these Romania’s failure to tackle corruption and reform its judicial systems directives have been implemented. may herald the end of guaranteed entry dates for EU hopefuls, writes Major differences still exist between Brian Johnson member states on this issue” 68 Ukraine – the EU’s buffer zone? Adrian Severin reports back on parliament’s recent delegation to “The European elections in Bulgaria Ukraine demonstrated that neither the BSP 70 Profile nor the old right-of the centre parties such as UDF have recognised that A sightseeing trip in Alsace opened up a whole new career for the electorate needs if not new German MEP Helmuth Markov. Martin Banks reports. ideas, then at least new faces” 73 PSST! 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Dod’s Parliamentary Communications takes no political Boulevard Charlemagne 1 Leslie McCutcheon stance on the messages contained within advertisements but requires Box 2 Brussels 1041 Advertising production PUBLISHER & MANAGING DIRECTOR that all content is in strict accordance with the law. Dod’s Parliamentary Communications reserves the right to refuse advertisements for good Tel +32 (0) 2 285 0828 John Levers Martin Beck reason (for example if it is libellous, defamatory, pornographic, socially [email protected] Tel +44 (0) 20 7091 7529 Dods Parliamentary Communications unacceptable, insensitive or otherwise contrary to editorial policy). 18 June 2007 PARLIAMENTMAGAZINE 5 NEWS Pat Cox says EU must regain citizens’ trust EU citizens are more interested in what Europe can do for them rather than the intricacies of how it works, accord- ing to former parliament president Pat Cox. This is the conclusion of an extensive public consultation exercise unveiled on 12 June as part of the European commission’s Plan D strategy. Cox used a motoring metaphor to sum up public opinion on the protracted debate over a European constitution. “People are not especially interested in the car engine but, rather, are more focused on its ability to travel to the desired policy destinations,” he said. “In short, they are results and not process oriented.” The project, coordinated by the European Movement International (EMI), is designed to learn how ordinary people view the EU’s future and will conclude with a trans-national poll in the autumn. “Political leaders need to regain citizens´ trust and confidence in the European project,” said Cox, who is the president of EMI. MEP Jo Hearing condemns Leinen, meanwhile, called on EU heads of state attending the 21-22 June summit in Brussels to avoid a “low-level” compromise that would “significantly” dilute the existing US missile base plans constitutional text. Plans to install an anti-missile shield system in Europe have been condemned by the mayor of Trokavec, the tiny Czech Republic village where it will be based. Speaking in parliament, Jan Neoral criticised the move, saying it will contribute to a new arms race and create divisions between member states. Neoral was in Brussels last week to attend a hearing – organised by the EUN/NGL group – on US plans to build a huge radar station less than one kilometre from the village.