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Nordic committee on bioethics
The Nordic Committee on Bioethics was founded in 1989 to promote Nordic cooperation and exchange of information between scientists, parliamentarians, opinion leaders and public officials in the area of bioethics.
In the increasing international variety of approaches taken to address bioethical questions, it is important to have a committee that reflects the Nordic dimension in responding to ethical issues raised by biosciences and biotechnology.
- The Committee arranges workshops, hearings, conferences, symposia and public talks/lectures in order to contribute to the exchange of information between researchers, parliamentarians and opinion leaders on current issues in bioethics.
- The Committee publishes reports and other publications to promote Nordic and interantional debate on issues of bioethics.
- The Committee holds regular in-house meetings.
- The Committee can co-opt experts for a particular activity.
Mission
The mission of the Nordic Committee on Bioethics is to foster co-operation between the Nordic countries by bringing together representatives from different backgrounds to discuss and analyse issues in bioethics in order to achieve greater awareness, promote common understanding, improve policy making and present internationally a Nordic perspective on bioethical challenges.
The Committee’s tasks are
- To identify, analyze and discuss contemporary bioethical challenges
- To inform, advise and report to the Nordic Council of Ministers on bioethical challenges facing the Nordic countries
- To create opportunities, promote collaboration and stimulate exchange between specialists, politicians, researches, opinion leaders, the public and interest groups in debating urgent bioethical challenges
- To foster Nordic cooperation on questions that are relevant in current and future policy making
- To inform policy makers and monitor legislation and policy of bioethical concerns related to technological development.
- To promote common understanding and improve awareness in issues which have a bioethical dimension
- To give a Nordic perspective internationally
Members and organisation
The Nordic Committee on Bioethics has two members from each Nordic country. Members are appointed for three years at a time by the Nordic Council of Ministers from the nominations of the Nordic countries. Members can be appointed for a maximum of two consecutive mandate periods. The Committee selects its chair amongst its members and the chairmanship rotates annually between the Nordic countries. The Committee appoints a secretariat. The Committee’s work is funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers.
