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On 12 September 2023, the European Parliament (EP) adopted the report on new rules governing the use of so-called substances of human origin (SoHO) intended for human application, that would allow the classification of human embryos as “substances of human origin”. This could open the way for the trade in foetuses, previously a red line in mainstream European politics.
The proposal was adopted by 483 votes to 52. Hungary Today have asked Kinga Gál, MEP for the government party Fidesz, for her opinion in the matter. In her reply, the Hungarian MEP stated that although due to her commitments in Budapest she was unable to participate in the vote, she is “totally against the classification of human embryos as substances of human origin”, she wrote.
Kinga Gál. Photo: European Parliament
From Fidesz’ point of view, she continued, “the classification of the embryos as ‘human substance’ is unacceptable. However, in view of the predominant liberal majority in the EP, the relevant parts of the draft text were adopted by the European Parliament. Fidesz MEPs did not support the report in the final vote either, Kinga Gál added.
Furthermore, the Hungarian MEP pointed out, the EP draft text also clearly states that the different medical issues and measures in force in EU member states must be respected to the maximum. Therefore,
the broad protection of human foetuses in Hungary, as laid down at the highest legal level, in the Fundamental Law, cannot be affected in any way by the EP proposal”,
concluded Kinga Gál.
The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community, or COMECE, said in a joint statement with the German Church’s Catholic Office in Berlin that “Unequivocally, this regulation will set the course for future discussions regarding prenatal human life … and will raise numerous ethical and constitutional conflict issues… (It) degrades unborn human life to a mere ‘substance of human origin,’ equating it on the same level as skin cells or blood plasma. … Human subjects are thus subdued to be mere objects in disregard of their inherent dignity,” the bishops wrote in their statement.
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