Ethics Commission of the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic At its regular meeting of 27 November 2018, the Republic (EtK MZ SR) She informed Bratislava about the first information about the declared birth of genetically intentionally modified children who have been found as a result of unauthorised research in the People's Republic of China (PRC). According to the published information, Researchers in Early Embryo Children to date generally prohibited hereditary change of their genome: by laboratory method CRISP-Cas9 removed or disabled the CCR5 receptor gene. Binding to this receptor one of the pathways human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may infect target cells of the organism.
The communication has not yet been confirmed by independent scientific examination, but still provoked a general conviction the world's scientific community as well as many national and international Institutions set up to ensure compliance supervision internationally accepted ethical principles and standards of biomedical research. Rejected opinion on this research was also taken by official representatives PRC.
It is symbolic that these very days, the world remembers 70th anniversary of the signing of the most important international document on human rights, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (10 December 1948). The declaration responded to the horrors of World War II, including the perverted The eugenic ideas of racial ideologies, and pointed out the fact that ignoring human rights and contempt for them led to barbaric acts of insulting conscience Mankind (Preamble). The importance of this anniversary should therefore also be highlighted. a ban on non-ethical eugenic practices, highlighting a number of documents on Human rights, e.g. the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (Art. 3. 1 letter (c).
In the light of the above, EtK MZ SR decided adopt the following opinion:
EtK MZ SR is aware of the importance of scientific research in areas of biology and medicine, particularly in connection with human genome research; as well as the particular importance of seeking treatment and prevention methods against HIV. EtK MZ SR also understands the complexity of finding clear answers to complicated bioethical issues related to the human genome, in 21. Centuries.
EtK MZ SR recognises the fundamental The importance of freedom of scientific examination. At the same time, it notes that the integrity, integrity and rights of the human being;, as well as the good of human society and 2
Even in relation to future generations, they must take precedence over the interests of science or specific social groups.
EtK MZ SR also notes that the above mentioned Procedure
researchers is in clear contradiction existing,
internationally accepted ethical principles and standardscurrently
are applicable to biomedical research and specifically to molecular research
biology and genetics. EtK MZ SR recalls that there is research in the Slovak Republic,
which would result in a change of the human genome transferable to offspring, in the sense of
the legislation in force is prohibited.
EtK MZ SR shares the concerns of numerous national and international institutions that
non-ethical behaviour of a given team of researchers may result in Loss of trust among large population groups to developing science and new
technology. This trend is already visible, e.g. in
relationship to vaccination or rational pharmacotherapy.
EtK MZ SR stresses that scientific research must be to within the framework of the democratic order of human rights, in order to to facilitate the realisation of fundamental values of human dignity, justice; and individual freedom. One of the leading principles in scientific research the human genome must be transparency and public debate on its objectives.
For the above reasons, EtK MZ SR advocates Creation a more efficient ethical oversight system and biomedical assessment Research internationally; to ensure that the application of new scientific knowledge and biotechnology effectively preceded non-ethical behaviour and abuse of progress.
To achieve effective action against non-ethical action there is a need to continuously increase Public awareness on the specific consequences of scientific and technological developments and its potential risks. EtK MZ SR therefore requires public authorities as well as scientific and educational institutions in To the Slovak Republic, they created considerably wider scope for Education a Technical discussion on ethical topics in the field of biology and medicine. Only an informed and ethically educated society can act unethically on time Identify and resist.
Adopted by the vote per role on 12 December 2018