Medical research ethics – your views sought

THE Irish Council for Bioethics has established a working group to consider the use of human biological material, such as blood and tissue, in medical research.

This is a timely development as it is important to balance the need for blood and tissue samples required for vital

research into serious diseases such as cancer with the ethical and legal issues involved and the wishes and concerns of the individual.

By producing ethical recommendations for scientific researchers the council hopes to promote public confidence in the ethics and integrity of the research process. The council is now seeking the views of the public to inform the recommendations.

All submissions must be received by September 12. Submissions will be carefully reviewed by the council and will be treated in confidence.

Information on the submission process and the issues under consideration can be obtained from the Irish Council for Bioethics at the address below or via our website at www.bioethics.ie.

Dr Siobhán O’Sullivan,

Scientific Director,

Irish Council of Bioethics,

19, Dawson St,

Dublin 2.