Category Archives: Ethics, Research & Health


Scientific research and technological development make a major contribution to the integral development and the quality of life of human beings, especially, but not only, in the area of health where new therapeutic options become increasingly available. They are also an important motor of economic growth. COMECE chiefly covers the bioethical issues that arise at the EU level in the ambits of health and of research, although the main competences with regard to these matters remain largely at the Member States’ level. COMECE is assisted in this mission by a Working Group on Ethics.
Ethics, Research & Health, Policy Areas, Press

News

EU should update its research policy on stem cells

Human embryonic stem cell research is no longer patentable in the EU, it is ethically problematic and therefore is not a consensual research field among Member States and EU citizens. Moreover, it offers less and less clinical promise. COMECE therefore calls on the EU to exclude human embryonic stem cell research from its upcoming research funding programme Horizon 2020 and to focus instead on the … Continue reading »

Ethics, Research & Health, Policy Areas, Press

News

Human embryos cannot be patented

COMECE welcomes the Judgement of the European Court of Justice (ECJ). In the Case Oliver Brüstle v Greenpeace, the ECJ, in a preliminary ruling, decided that destructive research on human embryo cannot be patented. In this context, the ECJ had to give a clear legal interpretation of the concept of “human embryo”. This concept remained not defined in Directive 98/44/EC. The Court now defines a … Continue reading »

Ethics, Research & Health, Policy Areas, Press

News

Family policy – chance and challenge for Europe COMECE proposes a new strategy

On November 5th the Secretariat of COMECE will present a further contribution for a family strategy on the EU level. The document ‘Proposal for a Strategy of the European Union for the Support of Couples and Marriage’ draws attention to challenges for families in Europe. It suggests political initiatives (labour law, tax policy, housing policy, etc.) through which European institutions can support families. Stable couples … Continue reading »

Ethics, Research & Health, Policy Areas, Press

News

Advanced Therapies at any cost?

Press declaration on the plenary vote of the European Parliament on the Regulation on Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (Mikolášik-report) on 25 April 2007. Mgr. Noel Treanor, Secretary General of COMECE, expressed his disappointment about the result of the vote in the European Parliament regarding the Regulation on Advanced Therapies: „In fundamental ethical issues touching on the inviolability and the dignity of human life, it is … Continue reading »