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Press Release 04/2013 Pharmaceutical research, but at whose expense?

24.05.2013
How can participants in pharmaceutical studies be protected and ethical standards be effectively enforced in the global context? How can research quality be ensured in a global context? Are ethics committees suited to and necessary for the protection of test subjects? What ethical standards should European research projects take into account? It was to questions such as these and others that the German Ethics Council sought answers at its 2013 annual meeting in Berlin last Thursday, in the course of which it held discussions with around 300 delegates.

Press Release 03/2013 The German Ethics Council presents its Opinion on the future of genetic diagnosis

30.04.2013
In response to a commission by the Federal Government, the German Ethics Council has compiled an Opinion on the future of genetic diagnosis. On the basis of the right of people affected by a genetic test to know, their right not to know and their right of informational self-determination, the Council recommends in particular measures for the improvement of information, explanation and counselling. Other proposed requirements include special provisions on the conduct of prenatal genetic diagnosis, protection of those lacking the capacity to give consent, the quality of genetic tests and their funding within the healthcare system. The Council not only offers recommendations for political and legislative action, but also aspires to stimulate public debate on future developments in genetic diagnosis.

Press Release 02/2013 The German Ethics Council discusses the risks of misuse of research by bioterrorists

26.04.2013
At a public hearing on 25 April 2013 the Ethics Council questioned nine experts on possible ways of preventing the misuse of biological research by third parties without imposing excessive restrictions on the freedom of research. The results will be incorporated in an Opinion on biosecurity which the Ethics Council is currently drafting in response to a commission by the Federal Government.