Vigenin: Innovation should not be an end in itself, it should be directed at solving urgent social problems

Europe faces many challenges in healthcare, the environment and the social sphere, which call for common solutions. That is why, in the Committee on Public Health, Bulgarian MEP from the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats Kristian Vigenin took an active part in the discussion of the European Life Sciences Strategy with Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva, responsible for research and innovation, and with Oliver Varhelyi, Commissioner for Health.

The MEP welcomed the appearance of the strategy at this important moment for Europe, since the problems require coordination of the scientific and the social responses. “The emphasis on the funding and investment mechanisms that could unlock vital projects is timely. It is crucial that the Life Sciences Strategy remains tied to the public interest. Innovation should not be an end in itself, but an instrument for dealing with urgent social challenges such as antimicrobial resistance, pandemic preparedness and the health impact linked to climate change,” Vigenin pointed out. In his view these problems affect vulnerable groups of the population to different degrees: “We need to set out solutions based on fairness, sustainability and ethical responsibility.”

Questions to the Commissioners and the Commission’s answer

The MEP put questions to the two commissioners: “Since the Horizon Europe programme and other EU funding instruments play a central role in supporting projects in the field of life sciences, how will the Commission ensure a fairer distribution of the funds among all member states, so that research and innovation is not concentrated in a few leading countries? How will the Commission guarantee that these projects stay focused on the urgent public health priorities, deliver tangible results and stick to strict ethical, environmental and social safeguards?”

In reply, Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva said that the Commission is seeking to simplify the rules and their application, without waiting for the next Multiannual Financial Framework. She noted that it is also important for member states to increase the support for their research and innovation from their national budgets, because the link between success in the Horizon programme and the investment that comes from member states own national budgets is visible. Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi added, on Vigenin question, that the European Commission will continue to fund pandemic preparedness and the fight against antimicrobial resistance, as well as all the other public health policies that are being carried out at the moment.