Developments of Bioethics in Europe and Lithuania Vilnius, September 23 - 24, 2005 Ole J. Hartling Danish Council of Ethics

The Danish Council of Ethics established 1987 by law revised law no. 440 of 9th. June 2004 ethical advice – (including issues connected with the application of bio- and gene technology) scope: human beings, nature, environment, and food

Composition of the Council 17 members “gender neutral” i.e. equal number of men and women insight into ethical, cultural, societal, and other related questions both experts and lay-people are represented in the council the members do not represent any organisation or political party

17 members 9 members and the chairman appointed by the parliament-ary committee 4 members by the Minister for Health and Interior Affairs 1 member by the Minister for Environmental Affairs 1 member by the minister for Family and Consumer affairs 1 member by the minister for Science, Technology og and Development 1 member by the minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries

The Danish Council of Ethics Prerequisites: independency respect for the integrity and dignity of man and future generations respect for nature and the environment

The purpose: Two legs to walk on Advice - parliament and government Debate - public debate

Scope I Human beings - Human life e.g.: Reproductional technology, foetal diagnosis, and the use of fertilised human eggs and embryos Gene technology

Scope II Nature and the environment e.g.: preservation of biological diversity and sustainable development

The legislation landscape Human beings mainly national law e.g.: rights of patients protection of trial subjects artificial procreation protection of the dying

The legislation landscape Environment, plants, GMO’s, food Mainly regulated via EU- and international legislation (Novel food, Cartagena Protocol, directive of contained use, directive of deliberate release)

Bioethics what is right? doing things right doing the right things medically/ technically legally doing things right what is right? morally/ ethically doing the right things

New knowledge and new possibilities pose new dilemmas ”Law of nature” New knowledge and new possibilities pose new dilemmas “It is natural for man to do unnatural things.” anonymous

The patient-doctor relationship will be based on the conception that ”the human genome is the molecular self”. The doctor’s job will be to assess risks and to tell the patient about his ”risk profile”.

Formerly the patient went to see the doctor and presented a symptom. In the future the doctor sends for the patient and presents to him what symptoms the patient may expect.

Hope or fear?

What is going on? What is on it’s way? What is the problem? 1. What is god and what it bad? - and why? 2. What should we recommend? Change of law? Rules? 3.

Ethical evaluation - principles, e.g.: human, ”samaritarian” - emphasises the motive of help autonomy based - emphasises autonomy individual utilitarian - emphasises the consequences for the individual community utilitarian - emphasises the consequences for the community, culture etc.

Groucho Marx: ”These are my principles. If you don’t like them I have others.”

autonomy and care dignity dignity

primum non nocere

To address an issue: a working group is formed among the members. The group is assisted by the secretariat external experts are consulted if necessary the matter and the products of the working group is discussed in the council at one or more (several) meetings e.g. a report or statement dealing with the issue is presented

The Danish Council of Ethics 20th Sep. 2004

99,9% genes in common

Article 4 The human genome in its natural state shall not give rise to financial gains.

The aim and endeavour is to make it more than words Hamlet: ”Words, words, words” HAMLET

Experience from the human area to the foods area? the risk assessments and ethical principles: autonomy, dignity, integrity and vulnerability The Foods area scientific principles for evaluation: substantial equivalence – precautionary principle should scientific principles be supplemented with ”ethical precaution”?

Prospects and challenges national implementation of international conventions concrete guidance for administrators dialogue forums among the different actors further scope for public debate crystallising out ethical values in e.g. the foods area incorporating ethical assessments

Thank you!