Planned egg cell trade
08 March 2005
Today, Jim Allister made the following speech in the European Parliament
Allister (NI). – Mr President, there is something highly obnoxious about any trade in human body parts or tissue. Therefore, any trade in human egg cells that may be going on from Romania to the United Kingdom is utterly reprehensible and must be condemned. I trust the Commission will be more forthcoming as to whether or not it believes such a trade is actually going on.
The harvesting of egg cells poses serious risks to the health of the women involved, owing to hyper-stimulation of the ovaries. It is therefore offensive and utterly wrong that women in economic need in poor countries are being offered financial incentives to become paid donors. I would support any moves to stamp out this disgraceful trade.
The understandable desire of childless couples to have children must not override the human dignity and health of the donors being exploited. As the UN General Assembly said today when adopting its declaration against the cloning of human beings, measures need to be taken to prevent the exploitation of women in the application of life sciences. This is just such a case.
Click to view this and other speeches made by Jim Allister in the European Parliament
