The UNESCO International Bioethics Committee (IBC) outlines nine characteristics of "good governance," which include accountability, transparency, responsiveness, rule of law, stability, equity, inclusiveness, empowerment, and broad-based participation. In its 2015 report, the IBC presents five ethical principles for human genome editing: respect for autonomy and privacy, justice and solidarity, understanding of health, consideration of the cultural and economic context of science, and responsibility to future generations. The IBC calls for a moratorium on germline genome editing until the safety and efficacy of CRISPR technology are evaluated. It also urges states to work towards a global standard, using the UNESCO Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights as a foundation, and recommends revising the Declarations to reflect the contemporary context of genome editing.
Summarise:
Recommendations from the UNESCO IBC
The UNESCO identifies nine characteristics of “good governance”: accountability, transparency, responsiveness, adherence to the rule of law, stability, equity, inclusiveness, empowerment, and broad-based participation.55 In its 2015 report, the UNESCO International Bioethics Committee (IBC) updated its considerations on human genome editing and human rights. It identifies the five ethical principles that guide its reflection on the technology: Respect for autonomy and privacy; justice and solidarity; understanding of illness and health; cultural, social, and economic context of science; responsibility towards future generations. Based on these principles, the IBC calls for a moratorium on germline genome editing until the safety and efficacy of CRISPR have been assessed; until then, states shall contribute towards a global standard with the UNESCO Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights as a basis and in collaboration with the scientific community, the media and educators as well as economic actors. Furthermore, the IBC suggests that the UNESCO Declarations be revised in terms of their application in this new context (UNESCO IBC 2015).
1 answer