24,4, 92 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 107/11 COUNCIL DECISION of 26 March 1992 adopting a specific research and technological development programme in the field of biotechnology . (1990 to 1994) (92/218/EEC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 130q (2) thereof, ' - Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1), In cooperation with the European Parliament (2), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Commiittee (3), Whereas, by its Decision 90/221/Euratom, EEC (%), the Council adopted a third framework programme for Community activities in the field of research and technological development (1990 to 1994), specifying, inter alia, the activities to be pursued for contributing to the development of Europe’s potential for understanding and using the properties and structures of living matter; whereas this Decision should be taken in the light of the grounds set out in the preamble to Decision 90/221/Euratom/EEC; Whereas Article 130k of the Treaty stipulates that the framework programme is to be implemented through specific - programmes developed within each activity; Whereas research and technological development in this field should be linked to various relevant Community policies and objectives; Whereas, pursuant to Article 4 and Annex I of Decision 90/221/Euratom, EEC, the amount deemed necessary for the whole framework programme includes an amount of ECU 57 million for the centralized action of dissemination and exploitation of results, to be divided up in proportion to the amount envisaged for each of the actions; Whereas, in the context of this programme, an assessment should be made of the economic and social impact as well as of any technological risks; (1) O No C 174, 16. 7. 1990, p. 53. (2) OJ No C 280, 28. 10. 1991, p. 79 and Decision of 12 February 1992 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (3) O] No C31,6. 2.1991, p. 14. (4) OJ No L 117, 8. 5. 1990, p. 28. Whereas basic research in the field of biotechnology must be encouraged throughout the Community; Whereas, in addition to. the specific programme concerning human resources and mobility, it is necessary to encourage the training of research workers in the context of this programme; Whereas biological research, in particular that which uses the methods of recombinant DNA, is often subject to national laws with which the contractors must comply; Whereas on 23 April 1990 the Council adopted Directive 90/219/EEC on the contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms (*) and Directive 90/220/EEC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms (¢); . Whereas the positive development of biotechnology could be enhanced by concerted actions; Whereas actions should be undertaken to ensure that the necessary consideration is given to the ethical and social effects of these projects, and their applications in agriculture, industry, health care and the environment; whereas such actions will ensure that information is made available to the public concerning the content of the programme; Whereas the results which may be achieved by genetic research make it necessary to adopt an integrated approach which takes account of the scientific, safety, ethical and legal aspects of possible applications and of the need to ensure that the results are not used in an improper manner or subject to misrepresentation; Whereas the Commission has announced its intention to examine further the ethical implications of biotechnology using the appropriate advisory structure; Whereas Decision 90/221/Euratom, EEC provides that a particular aim of Community research must be to strengthen the scientific and technological basis of European industry and to encourage it to become more competitive at international level; whereas it alsq provides that Community action is justified where researc:s}j contributes, inter alia, to the strengthening of the economic and social cohesion of the (*) OJNo L 117, 8. 5.1990,p. 1. () OJ NoL117, 8. 5.1990, p. 15.