News
Council to hold workshops on ageing, research in global health emergencies and the 14-day rule in embryo research
In November and December 2016 the Council will be holding three scoping workshops to explore topics that it is considering, with the possibility of subsequent further work. The topics, which were prioritised following the Council’s Forward Look meeting in February this year, are:
The ethics of research on ageing
The aim of this workshop is to identify the key ethical and social issues raised by research that is seeking to slow or prevent ageing.
Related links:
- Read a summary of the 2016 Forward Look discussion of longevity.
- Read the 2016 Forward Look background paper on longevity.
- Read a summary of ethical and policy issues in relation to longevity in our 2014 future work longlist.
Ethical challenges of pursuing research and scientific innovation in global health emergencies
This workshop will explore the ethical challenges of pursuing research and scientific innovation in the face of global health emergencies. It may cover research connected with responses to natural disasters and conflict, as well as to public health emergencies, such as those recently arising out of Ebola and Zika infections.Related links:
- Read the Council’s briefing paper Zika: ethical considerations published in February 2016.
- Download the 2011 Forward Look background paper on Pandemics
The '14-day rule' in human embryo research
This workshop will consider whether or not there may be persuasive reasons to review the legal time limit for maintaining human embryos in culture.
Related links:
- Read the press statement Council to consider the ’14 day rule’ in embryo research
- Read a summary of the 2016 Forward Look discussion on artificial gametes
The Council will be inviting participants with a range of perspectives to highlight and discuss some of the key ethical considerations that arise in relation to these areas. A note of each workshop will be published early in the new year.