European meetings
EC Forum of National Ethics Committees
The European Commission’s Directorate General for Research established a Forum of National Ethics Committees (NEC) in 2002. The purpose of the forum is to allow informal discussion of current and future work of national ethics councils in the EU. It is complementary to already existing meetings such as the COMETH. Members of the Department of Health, the Human Genetics Commission and the Council’s Secretariat have attended NEC meetings on behalf of the UK.
Sixth Forum of National Ethics Committees, London
6th Sixth Forum of National Ethics Committees, London
Meetings are hosted by the committee of the country holding the Presidency of the EU. The Human Genetics Commission and the Council jointly hosted the 6th NEC in London on behalf of the UK in November 2005. An evening reception and dinner took place on 17th November, followed by a full day meeting on 18th November. Around 50 delegates from 25 countries gathered to discuss the ethical issues surrounding public health, forensic databases and biometrics.
Click here for more information about NEC events.
COMETH
The European Conference of National Ethics Committees (COMETH) is composed of representatives of national ethics committees (or equivalent bodies) in Member States of the Council of Europe. The purpose of the Conference is to promote co-operation between national ethics committees, help countries wishing to set up a national ethics committee and to promote public debate on ethical issues raised by progress in the fields of biology, medicine and public health.
The 8th COMETH took place in Dubrovnik, Croatia, on 25-26 April 2005, with the theme 'Meeting the challenges of changing societies'. Professor Roger Brownsword attended the meeting on behalf of the Council. The 9th meeting took place in Berlin on 21-25 May 2007.
Click here for more information on COMETH.
Last Updated Tue, 25 March 2008