Ethical issues in the application of biotechnology

An international conference on ethical issues arising from the application of biotechnology will be held in Oviedo, Spain, from 16 to 19 May 1999. The conference will be organised by the Council of Europe in response to a recommendation from its Parliamentary Assembly.

The conference has three main objectives:

- To identify ethical issues in modern biotechnology from a multidisciplinary and multicultural perspective, with particular emphasis on social implications;
- To promote open public discussion on ethical issues in modern biotechnology;
- To identify an appropriate way to deal with ethical issues in modern biotechnology, and to discuss whether there is a need for new actions, such as a harmonised approach at international level in the form of a new convention or other appropriate instrument.

The presentations during the conference will be based on case studies selected to illustrate the ethical issues arising from the application of biotechnology. The presentations will be followed by open debates for participation for all the conference delegates.
For further information, please contact:

Council of Europe
Directorate of Legal Affairs
Laurence Lwoff
F-67075 Strasbourg
Tel. +33-3-88412268; Fax +33-3-88412764
E-mail: laurence.lwoff@coe.fr