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UNESCO and Global Bioethics

UNESCO and Global Bioethics. Rotterdam 7 July 2009. Henk ten Have, MD PhD, Director, Division of Ethics of Science and Technology. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Established Nov.1945 Hdq. Paris, France. Why ethics in an intergovernmental setting?.

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UNESCO and Global Bioethics

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  1. UNESCO and Global Bioethics Rotterdam 7 July 2009 Henk ten Have, MD PhD, Director, Division of Ethics of Science and Technology United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Established Nov.1945 Hdq. Paris, France

  2. Why ethics in an intergovernmental setting?

  3. ETHICS AND UNESCO 1970 UNESCO first reflection on ethics of life sciences 1993 Start bioethics program with International Bioethics Committee (IBC) - 36 independent experts designated by DG 1998 Intergovernmental Bioethics Committee (IGBC) - 36 member states of UNESCO elected by GC 1998 Expansion of program with ethics of scientific knowledge and technology -World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology (COMEST) 2002 Inter-agency Committee on Bioethics

  4. UNESCO Ethics of Science and Technology Mediate between scientific expertise and policy-making (research-policy linking) bioethics Political decision making regarding ethical issues in the Member States science ethics Standard-setting actions environmental ethics Capacity building space ethics Awareness raising nanotechnology ethics

  5. UNESCO Ethics of Science and Technology Mediate between scientific expertise and policy-making (research-policy linking) IBC IGBC bioethics Political decision making regarding ethical issues in the Member States science ethics Standard-setting actions environmental ethics COMEST Capacity building space ethics Awareness raising Inter-agency Com nanotechnology ethics

  6. UNESCO Ethics of Science and Technology science politics What is bioethics? Cultural diversity Geographical representation Languages Which fundamental principles? Feasibility Political reasonableness Compromise and negotiation Objectivity Impartiality Scientific rationality

  7. Challenges • Ethics infrastructure • Ethics committees • Ethics teaching • Ethical expertise • Ethics research • (Inter)national cooperation

  8. Challenges 2. Legal and regulatory framework • Universalism vs cultural diversity • Ethics vs religion • Risk of different standards • Inadequate government action • no interaction between ethics experts and policy makers

  9. Challenges 3. Western/northern bias of bioethics • Focus on advanced technologies • Emphasis on individual decision-making • Focus on diseases of the rich • Commercialisation and commodification of health care and science

  10. What can be done in an intergovernmental setting? • exploring shared values and principles and setting global standards • enhancing and building capacities in Member States to deal with ethical issues • increasing public awareness and promoting public debate

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