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, Press

NEWS

A global responsibility to protect human life?

COMECE took part in the workshop “Equal beginnings, but then? A global responsibility” organised in the Vatican on 25-26 June by the Pontifical Academy for Life within the context of its annual assembly. On the theological bases given by an analysis of the content-related developments from the encyclicals “Evangelium Vitae” and “Laudato Si”, participants from all over the world engaged into a dialogue to shed … Continue reading »

Ethics, Research & Health, EU External Affairs, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

New Defence Technologies: which legal and ethical implications?

A roundtable debate on “New Defence Technologies” took place at COMECE on June 19th, 2018, to discuss the current developments in this field and reflect on related legal, security and ethical questions. The meeting, organised in the context of the recent proposal of the European Commission on the future European Defence Fund, gathered representatives of the EU, the military, academia and the Church. The 15 … Continue reading »

Ethics, Research & Health, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

COMECE to publish reflection on “Robotisation of Life”

Following its contribution to a public consultation of the EU Commission on Artificial Intelligence (AI), COMECE will publish the reflection “Robotisation of Life” in order to adress the many ethical questions raised by AI’s effects on our societies. The document, to be published in July 2018, will describe and analyse the phenomena through the lenses of the Catholic social teaching. It was elaborated by the … Continue reading »

Ecology & Sustainability, Ethics, Research & Health, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

Tackling AMR, the Antimicrobial Resistance

Every year approximately 25,000 people in the EU and about 700,000 in the rest of the world die because of resistance against «antibiotics». What is this phenomenon? How is it possible? What is the EU doing to protect its citizens? What is the contribution of COMECE to counter it? The resistance against antibiotics, or Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), is a worldwide growing phenomenon due to an … Continue reading »

Ethics, Research & Health, Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

COMECE contribution on the legal status of robots

Robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) present new legal and ethical challenges both in terms of liability and responsibility. COMECE welcomes the debate on this theme at the EU level, and cautions against potential risks deriving from according legal personality to robots. The Commission has launched a consultation on the EU Directive on liability for defective products witch guarantees the liability of the producer in case … Continue reading »

Ethics, Research & Health, Justice & Fundamental Rights, Policy Areas, Press

Press Release

European Court of Human Rights: a key decision on surrogate motherhood

The Grand Chamber Judgment clarifies that there is no obligation to recognise parental ties if there is no biological link. The European Court reaffirms the State’s exclusive competence to recognise a legal parent-child relationship and the State’s prerogatives in safeguarding its public order. The Judgment of the Grand Chamber in the case of Paradiso and Campanelli v. Italy clarifies that the Italian authorities’ withdrawal of … Continue reading »

Ethics, Research & Health, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

Mental health in Europe and Christian ethics: An Opinion of the COMECE Working Group on Ethics

In an aging European society, mental health is an increasing concern with strong economic and social impact. Brain disorders affect one in three Europeans and have an estimated cost of €800 billion a year. In order to help Europe to tackle the issue, COMECE publishes its reflexion and proposals. Back in 2008, the European Commission had launched the European Pact for mental health and well … Continue reading »

Ethics, Research & Health, Policy Areas, Press

NEWS

Surrogacy: Council of Europe rejects draft recommendation

The Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly voted against the adoption of a recommendation on ‘Children’s rights related to surrogacy’, based on a report by Petra De Sutter (Belgium, SOC). The report was recommending to draw up European guidelines to safeguard children’s rights in relation to surrogacy arrangements. Read the COMECE Opinion on ‘Gestational Surrogacy – The question of European and international rules’.