09/03/2016
Opinion on palliative care in the European Union (EN)
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.
News
Palliative care in Europe: how to care for the most vulnerable?
There is room for a public debate on palliative care across the EU, says COMECE in an Opinion published today. As European society gets older, an increasing number of elderly people require palliative care. The European Commission is currently working on a European framework on Palliative Care. In order to contribute to the discussion around this new Framework, the COMECE Working Group on Ethics in … Continue reading
News
Palliative Care in the EU: COMECE and Hospitality Europe organise a joint luncheon debate on Assisting the elderly
As European society gets older, an increasing number of elderly people require palliative care. The COMECE Working Group on Ethics in Research and Healthcare has produced an Opinion on the subject of palliative care, which will be launched on the occasion of this luncheon debate. Set in the context of on-going discussion at EU level, both within the EU institutions and in wider society, the … Continue reading
19/01/2016
Opinion of the COMECE Reflection Group on Bioethics on synthetic biology (EN)
News
Synthetic Biology: engineering life without risks?
The COMECE Working Group on Ethics in Research and Medicine publishes an Opinion on Synthetic Biology. Synthetic Biology involves the engineering of biological components and systems that do not exist in nature and the re-engineering of existing biological elements. Synthetic Biology could soon have multiple industrial applications in the domains of health, energy, materials, environment and agriculture. This new technology therefore raises great expectations and … Continue reading
News
Gestational surrogacy condemned outright by the European Parliament today
Today the Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World 2014 and the European Union’s Policy in its regard came before the Plenary of the European Parliament for a vote. There is much in the report which those who are committed to fundamental rights and values can only welcome: this is illustrated by the fact that the report clearly calls for the abolition … Continue reading
News
Luncheon debate : The Dangers of Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems
Autonomous lethal weapon systems represent one of the greatest challenges to the peaceful co-existence of peoples. They are not just highly problematic from the viewpoint of international law. They may also have a destabilising impact on security policy. However, above all their use raises major ethical questions. During the lunch debate, two distinguished experts will discuss the risks of lethal autonomous weapon systems and present … Continue reading
News
Gestational Surrogacy: a frontal assault on fundamental shared EU values
Gestational surrogacy is an issue of increasing preoccupation and concern in contemporary political and legal debate across the European Union. Against that background, the COMECE Working Group on Ethics in Research and Medicine has published an “Opinion on Gestational Surrogacy: the question of European and International Rules” , which is presented today, 23 February, at an event hosted by MEP Miroslav Mikolasik at the European … Continue reading
23/02/2015
COMECE opinion on gestational surrogacy. The question of European and international rules (EN)
Press Release
COMECE Secretariat regrets EU Commission’s decision on the ‘One of Us’ citizens’ initiative
The European Commission decided on 28 May not to submit any legislative proposal as a reply to the European Citizens Initiative ‘One of Us’. This initiative asked for the ending of the EU financing of activities which presuppose the destruction of human embryos, in particular in the areas of research (projects making use of human embryonic stem cells – hESC) and development cooperation (abortion, either … Continue reading