What is the Council’s position in the UK policy framework?
The landscape of policy-making in bioethics has changed significantly during the Council’s history. The Council was established by the Nuffield Foundation in 1991, in response to concerns that there was no government-sponsored national body responsible for overseeing developments in biomedicine and biotechnology. There was seen to be a need for an independent body that could review developments in research, identify ethical issues, make recommendations about policy and stimulate public discussion. The Council perceives its independence as critical to help maintain public trust in its work.
In 2000, following a review of the regulatory framework for biotechnology, the government decided not to create an official national bioethics advisory body, as exists in many other countries. This decision was taken on the basis that the Nuffield Council, together with other scientific advisory committees, the ethics committees of professional bodies such as the BMA, and some parliamentary committees already fulfilled the role. Instead, the Human Genetics Commission (HGC) was established, which is the UK Government's advisory body on how new developments in human genetics will impact on people and on health care. The Council meets annually with the UK Department of Health and the Human Genetics Commission to exchange information about current and future work.
In 2008, members of both Houses of Parliament considered, as part of the debate on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, whether the UK should have a government-appointed or Parliamentary bioethics commission. All amendments to the Bill relating to this were ultimately withdrawn before the Bill passed through Parliament.
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Last Updated Mon, 10 November 2008