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Our work

We are a leading independent policy and research centre, and the foremost bioethics body in the UK. For more than 30 years, we have identified and tackled some of the most complex and controversial issues facing societies across the globe.

Our work selection criteria

Achieving change

Work in this area will put ethics at the centre of decisions about biomedicine and health

Timeliness

There are good reasons to do this work now

Distinctiveness

We have the knowledge, skills and resources to deliver work, where others do not

Our priority areas

  • Reproduction, parenthood & families

    We are building on our reputation in this area, examining emerging developments and technologies, confronting questions around health care access and exploring wider societal developments around family forms.

  • The mind & brain

    We are considering developments in this area and how they intersect with social and policy contexts. The pace of research is generating new ethical questions around privacy, agency, autonomy and identity, which require exploration and deliberation.

  • The environment & health

    With the environmental crisis at the forefront of political and public consciousness, we will use our independence and convening powers to bring multidisciplinary and multisector expertise together to develop ethics tools for decision makers.

Our projects

  • Public engagement

    Exploring public views on assisted dying

    We are working to explore public views on assisted dying in England and the associated social, ethical, and practical considerations that people consider important in forming their views and in their deliberations.
  • Joint project

    AI and genomics futures

    Exploring how AI is transforming the capabilities and practice of genomic science, and what this means for people and society.
  • Report

    Research using neural organoids

    We are undertaking a project to assess and advise on the ethical and regulatory issues raised by research using neural organoids.
  • Review

    Stem cell-based embryo models

    A rapid review project exploring the ethical and regulatory issues raised by research using human stem cell-based embryo models.
  • Report

    Climate change, health and ethics

    Embedding ethics across policy and practice addressing climate change and health.
  • Work programme

    Genomics healthcare and research

    Developing a UK model for applying ethical standards to genomics initiatives.
  • Work programme

    Disagreements in the care of critically ill children

    Examining disagreements that can arise between families and healthcare teams about the care of critically ill children.
  • In-depth inquiry

    The future of ageing

    Research and innovation related to ageing can help support people to flourish in older age, but can also raise significant ethical questions about how ageing is perceived, and how older adults are valued in our society.

Our topics

The future

We use horizon scanning and foresight methods to anticipate where future developments in biomedicine and health have the potential to impact society.

Explore our insights