Statement on COVID-19 from IBC & COMEST: Ethical considerations from a global perspective
Article published on 02-04-2020
The COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is an acute novel emerging infection that has rapidly reached grave pandemic proportions necessitating a global bioethics reflection and response. The many ethical issues that arise call for putting aside differences and collectively reflecting on ethically acceptable solutions. A bioethics and ethics of science and technology perspective, rooted in human rights, should play a key role in the context of this challenging pandemic.
The IBC and COMEST, as international advisory bodies in the fields of bioethics and ethics of science and technology, recognize the urgency to go beyond political frontiers, geographical borders, and cultural differences, in order to focus on our common need and shared responsibility to engage in a dialogue to find measures to overcome the dramatic situation. In such emergencies, the role of bioethics and ethics committees, at national, regional and international levels, is to sustain a constructive dialogue, based on the conviction that political decisions need to be scientifically grounded and ethically inspired and guided.
The IBC and COMEST highlight some vital ethical issues from a global perspective, which need to be recognized all over the world, and appeal for urgent actions to be taken by governments. Find out the details in the document below.
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