Friday, November 23, 2007

German official speaks on scientific ethical controversies

Taipei, Nov. 23 (CNA) There have been no perfect solutions to scientific ethical controversies, such as stem cell research, and perhaps there never will be, but maintain a dialogue is important if all sides are to arrive at a consensus, a visiting German official in charge of national ethical affairs said Friday.

Ethically controversial scientific issues, including stem cells, euthanasia, organ transplantation and gene banks, were among the topics discussed in a topical speech by Kristiane Weber-Hassermer, chairwoman of the German National Ethics Council, who spoke to more than 100 medical students from National Taiwan University (NTU).

Scientific breakthroughs make great contributions to the health and sustainable development of mankind, she said, but we have to give a second thought if "it takes a life to protect another life."

Germans have paid greater attention to such issues than people from other countries because of the historical legacy of Nazi human experimentation during World War II, she noted, adding that this is why Germany tend to be conservative on such controversial topics.

National constitutions are very important in thinking through such issues because they provide a guide to much social development. The German constitution made it clear that both people's rights of self-determination and lives should be protected and respected, she said.

However, she said, this is also a source of conflict because advocates for each of the premises find themselves on opposite sides of many issues. The objective of the national ethics council is to make sure that both sides remain engaged in an ongoing dialogue, she said.

Weber-Hassemer noted that an area of society at which human rights advocates and the government should take a seriously look is the underprivileged, who often either became a part of scientific and new drug experiments, unaware of their rights, or can't afford to avail themselves of the benefits of new scientific discoveries, such as the pre-implantation diagnosis (PID) -- a procedure used to decrease the chance of a particular genetic condition.

Protection the underprivileged is a point on which all German citizens have arrived at a consensus, she said.

Speaking on the same occasion, Ho Hong-nerng, an NTU professor who moderated the session, said that compared with Germany, Taiwan has adopted a more open stance on medical ethical issues, the same as those of the United States and the United Kingdom.

Discussions of scientific development should include legislation and ethical issues at all times, Ho further told students in the audience, while also pointing out that our ethical standards continue to evolve with time.

"People's view on ethics were different in different societies and at different times. Most of the time, the involvement of legislation comes at the end of the process," he said.