Bioethics: The necessary balance between progress and respect for human dignity
Biological and medical research and developments in technology have produced spectacular advances in the health field. However, these advances raise ethical issues that affect the individual and protection of the individual’s rights and dignity (genetics, medically assisted procreation, antenatal diagnosis, stem cell research etc). The 1997 Oviedo Convention on human rights and biomedicine established the basic principles of biomedical ethics. There have since been three additional protocols dealing with the prohibition of cloning human beings, organ transplantation and biomedical research. The European Conference of National Ethics Committees (COMETH) was set up to promote co-operation between national ethics bodies in the Council of Europe member states. It plays a role in promoting public debate on all issues raised by developments in biomedical and health sciences. The Council of Europe’s aim in the field of bioethics is to strike a balance between freedom of research and protection of individuals. Biobanks and Biomedical Collections
The objective of this Symposium is to provide a basis for the re-examination of the Council of Europe Recommendation (2006)4 on research on biological materials of human origin. To that end, the Symposium will examine the developments in biobanking and research on biological materials of human origin, which have taken place since the adoption of the Recommendation and to consider their possible evolution, in order to assess the challenges they may raise with respect to the ethical and legal principles enshrined in the Recommendation. (more) Web Content Display
Symposium on medical treatment in end of life situations |
A Symposium on Biobanks and Biomedical Collections - An ethical framework for future research, will be held on 19-20 June 2012 in Strasbourg, France.