In the wake of two petitions to the European Parliament expressing concern about the dangers of silicone breast implants, MEPs voted in plenary session on June 13 in favour of a Resolution submitted by Janelly Fourtou (EPP-ED, France) calling for legislation to protect patients' health and improve the marketing and quality control of such implants. In view of the rise since the early 1990s of operations for cosmetic purposes on young people, Parliament is recommending an end to breast implants for cosmetic surgery on patients under 18 years of age. In the light of the proposals made by Parliament's STOA unit (Scientific and Technological Options Assessment) in May last year, Parliament has opted for strict rules rather than a ban on silicone implants.

The MEPs welcome the fact that the Commission will be issuing a Communication later this year and want all patients to have access to complete information free of charge about the residual risks and possible side-effects of implants as well as the alternative solutions. In addition, every person in whom an implant has been inserted should be issued with a "passport" listing the specifications of the implant and the postoperative precautions to take. The Resolution also calls for national breast implant registers to be set up in each Member State. Any advertising for breast implants as a form of cosmetic surgery should carry health and risk warnings. MEPs also want to see more research. ..JJ: (GH) Author not available, MEPS VOTE FOR STRICT RULES ON BREAST IMPLANTS. , European Report, 06-16-2001.