Bioscience get short shrift in UNESCO document
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) came out with a controversial declaration in October 2005, claiming to protect human respect from advanced bio-science research. UNESCO's "Universal Declaration on Bio-ethics and Human Rights", released in Paris, is its third text on bioethics. It "addresses ethical issues related to medicine, life sciences and associated technologies as applied to human beings". The declaration attempts to fill a void caused by the growing need for international ethical standards generated by biomedical research and other activities - biomedical research projects and experiments, and international transfers of embryos, stem cells, organs, tissue and cells, DNA samples and other genetic data - that are conducted in the absence of a regu-latory framework.
Conservative Christian groups opposed to stem cell research, have welcomed
the declaration. A press release of the London-based public interest group, the Comment On Reproductive Ethics, which focuses on ethical dilemmas surrounding
human reproduction, says: "We are delighted that the document uses the term 'human being' rather than 'persons' throughout the text. When coupled with a recommendation that nothing contrary to human dignity or human rights should be promoted, this surely is a clear warning to those involved in genetic manipulation, cloning and the like."
But the declaration has evoked strong protests from researchers and academics working on bio-ethics and biotechnology. The declaration will hamper crucial medical research and public policies, experts say. They have accused UNESCO of meddling
in the domain of the World Health Organization, which supports stem cell research.
According to the declaration, member states are prohibited from
following health policies that might undermine individual liberties. But critics say if the declaration existed at the time of the SARS epidemic, it would not have been possible to control it, since regulation involved impinging on such rights through quarantine. They want a resolution to be passed against the declaration.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.