The Group of Advisers on Ethical Implications of Biotechnology of the European Commission:

1. • Having regard to the request of the Commission of 23 September 1993 for an Opinion on gene therapy;

2. • Having regard to the Treaty on European Union and in particular articles 129, 129 A and Article F.2 of the Common Provisions;

3. • Having regard to European Regulations in particular the Council Directives on genetically modified (micro) organisms 90/219/EEC and 90/220/EEC and relevant product legislation;

4. • Taking account of the statements expressed by the European institutions, the Council of Europe, the UNESCO and other international or national ethics committees;

5. • Having heard the report on “Ethical Aspects of Gene Therapy” by the rapporteur Professor Luis Archer;