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Europe
Regional | Austria | Belgium | Croatia | Czech
Republic | Denmark | Estonia | Finland | France | Germany | Greece |
Hungary | Iceland | Ireland | Italy | Lithuania | Luxembourg |
Malta | Netherlands | Norway | Poland | Portugal |
Slovakia | Spain | Sweden | Switzerland |
United Kingdom
Regional
The Council of Europe's aim
in this field is to protect the individual's dignity and fundamental
rights with regard to the application of ordinary
medicine and new medical techniques (genetics, medically assisted
procreation, etc.). It wants to strike a balance between freedom of
research and
protection of persons, while fostering reflection and public discussion,
ensuring respect for fundamental values, and arbitrating between
different viewpoints and interests by drawing up principles and legal
standards
which reflect these values.
European Association of Centres of Medical Ethics
The
European Association of Centres of Medical Ethics (EACME) is, since
its creation in 1985, an international research and communication
network.
It aims at promoting public critical concern regarding the ethical
issues involved in the development of the biomedical sciences in
our communities.
European Bioethical Research is an international,
non profit organization based in Edinburgh, Scotland. It encourages
and promotes research
and discussion in bioethics amongst academics, and has a programme
to increase
and improve the public understanding of bioethics through small
grants.
European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies
The Group is an independent, pluralist and multidisciplinary body which
advises the European Commission on ethical aspects of science and new
technologies in connection with the preparation and implementation
of Community legislation or policies.
The European Society For Philosophy Of Medicine And Healthcare
The European Society for Philosophy of Medicine and Healthcare (ESPMH)
was founded in 1987. It’s goals are: to stimulate and promote
the development and methodology in the field of philosophy of medicine
and health care; to be a center of contact for European scholars
in this field; to promote international contact between members of
the
various countries in and outside Europe.
Nordic Committee on Bioethics
A Nordic committee on Bioethics was formed in1989 to further promote
Nordic cooperation and exchange information between scientists, parliamentarians,
and opinion leaders on ethical aspects of biotechnological research,
development and application. The Committee has of two members from
each of the Nordic countries and represents broad-based knowledge in
biotechnology and bioethics.
Austria
The Austrian Commission on Bioethics
A
Bioethics Commission was established at the Federal Chancellery of
Austria in 2001. The task of the Bioethics Commission is to advise
the Federal Chancellor from an ethical point of view on all social,
natural scientific and legal issues arising from the scientific developments
in human medicine and human biology. The Commission consists of experts
in the medical field, legal experts, sociologists and experts in philosophy,
theology and microbiology.
Institut für Ethik und Recht in der Medizin- University
of Vienna
Belgium
Belgian Advisory Committee on Bioethics
Ce Comité est chargé d’informer le public en matière
bioéthique ainsi que de rendre, en cette matière, des
avis, soit d’initiative, soit à la demande de certaines
autorités publiques, de certains organismes scientifiques ainsi
que d’établissements de soins et d’établissements
d’enseignement supérieur et les comités d’éthique
qui leur sont attachés.
Biomedical Ethics Unit - Catholic University of Louvain
L'Unité d'éthique biomédicale est une unité académique
de recherche et d’enseignement de la Faculté de médecine
de l'UCL. Elle est étroitement associée aux Cliniques
universitaires St - Luc. Elle constitue un lieu où les questions
de bioéthique et d'éthique clinique sont stimulées
et exprimées, étudiées et systématisées,
dans la recherche, l'enseignement et la formation des professionnels
de la santé. Elle tient aussi à mettre sa réflexion éthique à la
disposition de toutes les facultés et des demandes extérieures.
The Centre for Inter-disciplinary Research in Bioethics - University of Brussels
The Centre for Inter-disciplinary Research in Bioethics, (CRIB) at
the University of Brussels, was started in 1987. Connected to the
Department of Philosophy and Religious Sciences, but inter-disciplinary
in the
largest sense of the word (Medicine, Biology, Human Sciences, Philosophy,
Law…), the CRIB adopted a pluralistic and free-thinking approach.
Its field of interest stretches to all issues relating to ethics
generated by the development of sciences and health: from medical
ethics to environmental
ethics, to questions on ethics for individuals and collective ethical
issues (social, economical, political).
Croatia
Croatian Bioethics Society
Czech Republic
Institute for Medical Ethics and Nursing - Charles University in Prague
The Institute of Medical Ethics and Nursing was founded in l990 at
the Charles University in Prague, as the first institute of this
type in the Czech Republic. The mission of the institute is the
education of students at the medical school in human sciences, study
and development
of theoretical basis of medical ethics and also research in the
field. The Institute also organises the university nursing programs.
Teachers
of the institute take part in the work of ethics committees (Central
Ethics Committee, Local Ethics Committee of the 3rd Medical Faculty)
and in postgraduate education of physicians and nurses.
University Centre for Bioethics- Masaryk University, Brno
The University Centre for Bioethics (UCB), an interdisciplinary research
and educational department founded in 2002, engages in study on ethical,
legal and societal implications of the life sciences and biomedicine.
UCB is committed to bringing together scholars and researchers from
a variety of disciplines to cooperate in addressing ethical questions
arising from the complex relationships among medicine, science, technology
and society. UCB also fosters the participation of non-professional
organizations and the public on the informed dialogue about the challenges
of bioethics.
Denmark
Danish Council of Ethics
The Danish Council on Ethics provides advice to the Danish Parliament
and raises public debate about ethical problems in the field of biomedicine.
Danish Council of Ethics in Nursing
The Danish Council of Ethics in Nursing was established in 1990. The
task of the Council is to survey and promote nurses' professional/ethical
standards and to express opinions on professional/ethical questions,
submitted to the Council. Also the Council, on its own initiative,
may discuss and assess questions arising from ethical issues.
Estonia
Estonian Council on Bioethics
Ethics Committee of the Estonian Genome Project Foundation
The Ethics Committee assesses the ethics of the processing procedures
of the Estonian Genome Project Foundation. The aim of the Ethics Committee
is to assist in ensuring the protection of the health, human dignity,
identity, security of person, privacy and other fundamental rights
and freedoms of gene donors and resolution of general ethical problems
related to human gene research.
Finland
National Advisory Board for Biotechnology
The main duties of the Advisory Board are to promote communication
between users of gene technology, to promote research in the field,
to follow the development of environmental effects and risk assessment,
and to advance information and education in the field of gene technology.
The primary task of the Advisory Board is to consider ethical issues,
follow public debate on gene technology and improve the public perception
of gene technology.
National Advisory Board on Health Care Ethics
The National Advisory Board on Health Care Ethics (ETENE) deals with
ethical issues related to health care and the status and rights of
patients from the point of view of principle. It can also take initiatives
and issue advisory opinions and recommendations on ethical health care
issues and foster discussion on them within Finnish society.
National Advisory Board on Research Ethics
The
National Advisory Board on Research Ethics (TENK) was founded in 1991
to address ethical questions relating to research and to the advancement
of research ethics in Finland. The Board: makes proposals and issues
statements to governmental authorities on legislative and other matters
concerning research ethics; acts as an expert body working towards
the resolution of ethical issues relating to research; takes initiative
in advancing research ethics and promotes discussion concerning research
ethics; monitors international developments in the field and takes
actively part in international cooperation; informs the public about
research ethics.
France
Centre
of Medical Ethics - Université Catholique de Lille
56, rue du Port F
59046 Lille Cedex
France
National Consultative Bioethics Committee for Health and Life Sciences
The National Consultative Ethics Committee for Health and Life Sciences
(CCNE) was established by a decree signed by the President of the French
Republic in 1983 and is now enacted in the law of 29th July 1994. The
Committee's mission is to give opinions on ethical problems raised
by progress in the fields of biology, medicine, and health, and to
publish recommendations on this subject.
Germany
Academy for Ethics in Medicine
Gene-ethical Network
Institute for the History of Medicine and Medical Ethics - University Erlangen - Nuremberg
Institute of Science and Ethics - University of Bonn
The IWE has set itself the objective to carry out research in the field
of Ethics of Biomedicine and Science and their applications. In order
to support ethical reflection in these fields it also organizes conferences
and lectures and promotes young scientists.
The National Ethics Council
Following the Federal Government's decision of 2 May 2001, the National
Ethics Council was inaugurated as a national forum for dialogue on
ethical issues in the life sciences. It is intended to be the central
organ for interdisciplinary discourse between the natural sciences,
medicine, theology and philosophy, and the social and legal sciences,
and to express views on ethical issues relating to new developments
in the field of the life sciences and on their consequences for the
individual and society.
Bioethik Diskurs
The interdisciplinary working group analyses and develops the societal
discourse on biomedicine. Two main aspects form the centerpiece of
the work: the ethical questions that arise in the context of biomedical
research, and communication of risks and benefits associated with biomedicine.
Arguments will take place, recommendations will be evaluated and credible
ways forward will be developed within a dialogue between science and
society. The target is the systematic development and implementation
of dialogical procedures that support and enable an alert way of dealing
with biomedicine.
Center for Ethics in the Sciences and the Humanities, University of Tübingen
Center for Medical Ethics, University of Bochum
In 1986 faculty members of Ruhr-University founded the Zentrum für
Medizinische Ethik. The Center is a non-profit institution and serves
as a research, teaching and consulting center in issues of applied
ethics, especially in clinical ethics and bioethics. The Center specializes
in developing practical instruments for moral assessment of cases
and scenarios in biomedical research and patient care.
Ethiknet
German Reference Centre for Ethics in the Life Sciences
The reference centre's role is the central, comprehensive and current
collection, documentation, provision and preparation of relevant national
and international information, documents and literature on ethics in
the life sciences, including relevant material regarding legal, social
and scientific issues. The centre aims to enable and facilitate access
to such information, and to highlight the German contributions to the
international debate.
Rhineland Palatinate Bioethics Commission
Greece
Hellenic National Bioethics Commission
The Hellenic National Bioethics Commission is an independent advisory
body of experts under the auspices of the Prime Minister. It investigates
the ethical, social and legal aspects that arise from scientific
advances in biology, biotechnology, medicine and genetics, outlines
proposals
of general policy and provides specific recommendations on related
issues. The Commission collaborates with international organizations,
informs the public on issues related to biotechnological advances,
and coordinates related governmental advisory bodies in the field
of bioethics.
Hungary
Scientific and Research Ethics Council
The Hungarian national body for ethical review, the Scientific and
Research Ethics Council, was established in 1951. It now has 5 commissions
- Scientific and Research Ethics Committee, Clinical Pharmacology Ethics
Committee, Forensic Committee, Human Reproduction Committee and Research & Development
commission. The commissions’ members are appointed by the Minister
of Health for a fixed term that is subject to renewal.
Iceland
The National Bioethics Committee
The main role of the National Bioethics Committee is the evaluation
of applications for research proposals incorporating the participation
of human subjects and concerning health issues in one way or the
other.
Ireland
Irish Council for Bioethics
The Irish Council for Bioethics was established in 2002 as an independent,
autonomous body to consider the ethical issues raised by recent developments
in science and medicine. It aims to identify and interpret the ethical
questions raised by biological and medical research in order to respond
to and anticipate questions of substantive concern. It investigates
and reports on such questions in the interests of promoting public
understanding, informed discussion and education. In the light of
the outcome of its work, the Council stimulates discussion through
conferences,
workshops, lectures, published reports and where appropriate suggest
guidelines.
Italy
Bioethics Center in Milan
Centre for Science, Society and Citizenship
Center of Bioethics - Catholic University of Sacred Heart
Interuniversity Center of Bioethics and Human Rights
The Centre of Bioethics and Human Rights has organised three international
meetings on bioethics topics, developed post-degree courses on several
subjects, and organised a series of seminars on the theme “The
Respect of Life”. The centre has produced numerous publications
and, in cooperation with the Centre of Bioethics of the Catholic University
of Rome, has proposed the editing of the “Enciclopedia di Bioetica
e Scienze giuridiche” that is now being realised.
Lanza Foundation
Interdepartmental Center of Bioethics - University of Pisa
National Bioethics Committee
The National Bioethics Committee was established in 1990 committing
the Italian Government to promoting an international level comparison
on the state of the art of biomedical research and genetic engineering
which might serve as a valid point of reference for future choices
in which the progress of science can be reconciled with the respect
for human freedom and dignity.
Centro Augusto Degli Esposti
Portale di Bioetica
Sicilian Institute of Bioethics
Lithuania
Lithuanian Bioethics Committee
The Lithuanian Bioethics Committee (LBEC) is an institution which
is responsible for the protection of human rights and dignity in
the field
of health care. It was established in 1995. LBEC takes responsibility
for informing and educating the biomedical community and general
public on moral dilemmas arising in the context of modern health
care. Additionally,
it aims to protect patients’ rights in the fields of biomedical
research and clinical practice, and to coordinate the ethical review
of research protocols in Lithuania.
Luxembourg
Commission Nationale
d’Ethique
Malta
Malta Bioethics Consultative Committee
Netherlands
Centre for Bio-Ethics and Health Law, Utrecht University
The Centre for Bioethics and Health Law, established in 1987, is
an independent, academic institute offering short-term advice and
research.
It organizes courses and provides training sessions. In the Centre,
physicians, veterinarians, ethicists, philosophers, lawyers and theologians
work together in areas of applied ethical and legal research and
education.
Centre for Ethics and Health
The Centre for Ethics and Health of the Netherlands is a joint venture
of the Health Council of the Netherlands and the Council for Public
Health and Healthcare. Both advisory councils together produce an annual
alerting report, identifying developments which, from the ethical point
of view, merit the government's attention. Secondly, the Centre serves
as an information point on bioethical issues.
Health Council of the Netherlands
The Health Council of the Netherlands is an independent advisory body
whose task is to advise Ministers and Parliament in the field of public
health. Ministers ask the Health Council for advice on which to base
policy decisions. In addition, the Health Council has an "alerting" function,
which also allows it to give unsolicited advice. Its assessments of
health technologies include a thorough analysis of the ethical, societal
and medico-legal aspects. The council consists of eight Standing Committees,
including the Standing Committee on Medical Ethics and Health Law.
Prof. dr. G.A. Lindeboom Institute
The Lindeboom Institute is a centre for Christian scholarship and education,
supporting Christian physicians, nurses and institutions in ethical
issues.
Norway
Center for Medical Ethics - University of Oslo
Norwegian Biotechnology Advisory Board
The Norwegian Biotechnology Advisory Board is an independent body consisting
of 21 members appointed by the Norwegian government. The main tasks
of the Advisory Board are to evaluate the social and ethical consequences
of modern biotechnology for both human and non-human use, and to discuss
usage which promotes sustainable development.
National Committees for Research Ethics
The Norwegian Government proposal for the establishment of three national
committees for research ethics was approved by Parliament in 1990.
The three independent but coordinated national committees for research
ethics cover all scientific disciplines. It is a characteristic feature
of the Norwegian model that the committees do not only deal with issues
within the more narrowly defined field of research ethics, but include
the broader field of the ethics of science. This includes issues of
scientific responsibility for larger social concerns. The committees’ work
is open to public inspection.
Poland
Commission of Bioethics, Wroclaw Medical University
The tasks of the Commission are: giving opinions on the applications
for sponsored and non-sponsored research projects submitted by the
academic staff of the Wroclaw Medical University; controlling the
protection of safety and personal rights of the people taking part
in medical
experiments; when required by the Rector, giving opinions on the
ethics of research.
Pontifical Academy of Theology in Cracow, Interdisciplinary Institute of Bioethics
Portugal
Centre for Biomedical Law - University of Coimbra
The Centre for Biomedical Law (CDB) was created by the Faculty of
Law in May 1988. In November 1997, the Centre was constituted as
a private, non profit-making Association. It is proud to number among
its membership some distinguished professionals from the fields of
Law and Health. The CDB is concerned with organizing public debate
on topics of Biomedical Law and Ethics, with improving the bibliographical
resources of the Faculty of Law, and with promoting education in
Health Law.
National Council of Ethics for Life Sciences
Slovakia
Institute of Medical Ethics and Bioethics
Spain
Bioethics and Medical Education Information and Documentation Centre
The Bioethics and Medical Education Information and Documentation
Centre (CENDIBEM) was created in 1997 to be a centre of excellence
that promotes
research, discussion and teaching on Bioethics and, later in 1999,
expanding also on Medical Education. The center serves to the Bioethics
Institute and the Biomedical Training Institute activities.
The Institute of Bioethics
The Institute of Bioethics is a body created within the structure of
the Foundation for Health Sciences. Its objective is to coordinate
the activities of the Foundation concerning the field of Bioethics.
The Institute of Bioethics aspires to be a forum concerned with a variety
of disciplines, an assembly for unrestricted and sensible discussion
of all matters of great significance related to the sphere of health,
especially those posing serious ethical problems.
Sweden
The Swedish National Council on Medical Ethics
The Swedish National Council on Medical Ethics (SMER) is an advisory
board to the Swedish government on ethical issues raised by scientific
and technological advances in biomedicine.
Switzerland
Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences
The Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences (SAMS) was founded in 1943 and
today, has two main programmes, “Medicine and Society” and “Medical
Science and Practice”. Among other activities, the Academy identifies
new ethical questions arising from top biomedical research and from
the development of new technologies, and draws up ethical guidelines
and procedural instructions. In 1979 the Academy established the Central
Ethics Committee which discusses the major ethical problems facing
present-day medicine and seeks to anticipate them before subsequently
issuing guidelines, recommendations or position papers on specific
subjects.
The Swiss Ethics Committee on Non-human Gene Technology
The Swiss Ethics Committee on Non-human Gene Technology (ECNH) advises
the Federal Council and the authorities on legislation and enforcement
in the field of non-human biotechnology and gene technology.
Swiss National Advisory Commission on Biomedical Ethics
The Swiss National Advisory Commission on Biomedical Ethics was established
in 2001. It is an advisory body for the Swiss Government and both chambers
of Parliament and is therefore often consulted. To fulfill its legal
mandate the Commission provided information for the public on this
subject through debates, publications and media conferences. In the
future the Commission wishes to continue its efforts to highlight ethical
dilemmas, make these issues amenable to public debate, provide guidance,
and identify possible solutions.
The Swiss Society of Biomedical Ethics
United Kingdom
Centre for Applied Bioethics, University of Nottingham
In addition to its research and teaching roles, the Centre acts as
a source of information and advice to individuals and outside organisations.
It also hosts meetings and lectures on bioethical issues, and is progressively
developing a valuable bioethics database.
Centre for Applied Ethics - Cardiff University
The Centre for Applied Ethics was founded in 1989 with the aims of
promoting the study of and public interest in Applied Ethics, and of
facilitating research in Applied Ethics. With a membership that draws
on wide-ranging expertise, the Centre's particular concerns are with
ethical issues in the biomedical sciences, the environment, international
relations and the professions. The aims of the Centre are promoted
through publications, lectures, conferences and research projects.
Centre for Bioethics and Public Policy
The
Centre for Bioethics and Public Policy (CBPP) was established in 1991
and exists to make a difference in bioethics and national life
by promoting clear ethical thinking, based on Judeo-Christian values.
Working together with the international journal Ethics and Medicine,
the CBPP has held a number of conferences, published books and papers
on topics in bioethics, developed partnerships and links with like-minded
bodies, and networked academics, policy makers, scholars and political
leaders.
Centre for Philosophy & Health Care - University of Wales Swansea
The Centre for Professional Ethics - University of Central Lancashire
The Centre for Professional Ethics is a research and teaching institution
at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston. The research
and teaching focus is philosophical and interdisciplinary; current
staff comes from a range of disciplines, namely philosophy, law,
medicine, sociology, biology, psychology and economics.
The Centre of Medical Law and Ethics - King's College London
The Centre was inaugurated in 1978 to provide opportunities for teaching,
study, research and discussion of law and ethics as they relate to
medicine and health care. The Centre offers programmes of study in
medical ethics and contributes to the teaching of other courses run
within the College. In addition to individual staff members' research
activities, the Centre recently completed four major research projects.
Other activities include public lectures, seminars, conferences, the
maintenance and development of a specialist library, and the publication
of a newsletter.
Consumers for Ethics in Research
Consumers for Ethics in Research (CERES) is an independent charity
set up 1989 to promote informed debate about health research and help
users of health services to develop and publicize their views on health
research and new treatments.
PO Box 1365
London N16 0BW
Email: info@ceres.org.uk
Ethox - University of Oxford
Ethox, The Oxford Centre for Ethics and Communication in Health Care,
is an academic centre within the University of Oxford's faculty of
clinical medicine. The aims of Ethox are to improve patient care through
enhancing the ethical and communication skills of health professionals,
and developing effective ways in which organisations involved in the
delivery of health care can promote high ethical standards. In addition,
Ethox aims to use insights from health care practice to develop the
academic fields of ethics and communication skills.
Human Genetics Commission
The Human Genetics Commission is the UK Government’s advisory
body on how new evelopments in human genetics will impact on people
and on health care. Its remit is to give ministers strategic advice
on the “big picture” of human genetics, with a particular
focus on social and ethics issues.
Institute of Medicine, Law & Bioethics
IMLAB is a unique collaborative venture between the Universities
of Liverpool, Manchester, Keele, Lancaster and Central Lancashire,
bringing together a wide range of research interests in the fields
of medicine, law and bioethics and providing an inter-disciplinary
focus for research and education on the interface between medical
ethics and the law.
The Linacre Centre for Healthcare Ethics
The Linacre Centre exists to help Catholics, and others, explore and
understand the Church's position on bioethical issues. Its perspective
is informed by Catholic moral teaching; however, in defending such
teaching it seeks also to appeal to non-religious, philosophical reasoning
to enable dialogue with those of no religious faith. The Linacre Centre
is the only Catholic centre for bioethics in the UK and Ireland.
Nuffield Council on Bioethics
The Nuffield Council on Bioethics was established in 1991 to identify,
examine and report on the ethical questions raised by recent advances
in biological and medical research. Now in its thirteenth year, the
Council has achieved an international reputation, providing advice
that assists policy-making, addresses public concerns and stimulates
debate in bioethics.
The Sheffield Institute for Biotechnological Law and Ethics
The Sheffield Institute for Biotechnological Law and Ethics (SIBLE)
is an inter-faculty institute of the University of Sheffield created
in 1994. SIBLE aims: to be an inter-disciplinary forum for the discussion
of ethical and legal issues raised by developments in biotechnology;
to encourage and carry out research on ethical and legal issues raised
by developments in biotechnology; to offer expert advice on law and
ethics to those researching and developing biotechnology; and to counsel
governments and other regulatory bodies on the regulation of biotechnology.
Scottish Council on Human Bioethics
The Scottish Council on Human Bioethics was formed in 1997. It is
an independent, non-partisan group composed of doctors, lawyers,
theologians,
ethicists and other professionals from disciplines associated with
medical ethics. The Council’s purposes are: to collect and
evaluate evidence and information relating to ethical issues from
which to inform
public debate; to assist legislators, fellow professionals and other
interested parties with ethical analysis and comment on these issues;
to respond appropriately to media interest by the release of relevant
and reliable information and comment.
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