News and blogs

There are two kinds of question that people ask about developments in life sciences and biotechnology.

Today we have published our third annual ‘What’s on the horizon for bioethics?’ infographic. The infographic illustrates a wide range of developments in biological and medical research that will raise ethical issues in the short, medium and long-term.

We are calling on Government to issue national guidance on resource allocation in the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Nuffield Council on Bioethics is pleased to announce the appointment of Danielle Hamm as its new Director. Danielle will take up the role in June, succeeding Hugh Whittall who is retiring after 14 years.

The Nuffield Council on Bioethics has appointed members to the working group of its latest in-depth inquiry, which will examine ethical questions in relation to the role of science and technology in helping people live well in old age.

Today, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Royal College of Midwives, and Society and College of Radiographers have published a consensus statement on supporting women and their partners through prenatal screening ahead of the roll-out of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) in the NHS in England.

I followed the example of Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, England’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer, who, in the wake of the announcement of two successful COVID-19 vaccines, stated that he had encouraged his elderly mother ‘to be ready.’ I did the same.

The prospect of safe and effective vaccines against COVID-19 is good news for everyone towards the end of a grim year. Of course, caution is still advisable with as yet no certainty as to how long the vaccine might work or whether there might be adverse side effects for certain groups. There are also a host of ethical issues that need to be addressed.

“It is the miracle jab that promises hope of an end to the pandemic and a longed-for return to normality.” So begins a piece by The Daily Mail’s science correspondent Victoria Allen this week…

Writing in the midst of the COVID-19 epidemic, when the world is different now to how it was just a year ago, 2009 seems like a different age.

We are currently advertising for a new Director, following the announcement that our current Director, Hugh Whittall, will be retiring in the spring after leading the Council for 13 years.

Today, the UK Government has announced that they will work with partners to develop a COVID-19 human challenge study model. This will include the manufacture of the challenge virus and will be the first-in-human characterisation study for COVID-19.