What's in a Name?: Bioethics -- and Human Rights -- at UNESCO

Abstract

Two UNESCO advisory committees met in Paris for a week in January review a draft of the proposed Declaration on Universal Norms on Bioethics. The document is the latest effort of UNESCO's Bioethics Programme, which produced the Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights. That document was adopted by the United Nations in 1998. The new draft declaration was prepared during the last year by the International Bioethics Committee (IBC), composed of independent professionals with experience in bioethics. At the Paris meeting, the Intergovernmental Bioethics Committee (IGBC), composed of representatives of thirty-six member nations, provided their governments' input the IBC. Also participating were many observers from non-member nations and NGOs. Later this year, the UNESCO General Conference will consider the declaration for adoption. The Paris meeting was an opportunity witness several ongoing transitions in bioethics: from a philosophical a legal orientation, from national international standards, and from professional political policymaking. The IGBC met first, then a joint session of both committees, and finally a session of the IBC. Most attending members of both committees participated in all three sessions, playing a stately game of musical chairs as the seat assignments and chair persons switched. Though somewhat repetitious and contentious, the discussion at the meeting appeared satisfy the participants, perhaps because there will be another opportunity for the government representatives debate points of disagreement. Shortly after the meeting, the IBC produced its final draft. Next, an intergovernmental meeting of experts will convene this spring develop the final version for consideration by the General Conference. The original title of the document, Declaration on Universal Norms on Bioethics, presaged a restatement of traditional bioethics principles. However, in an explanatory memorandum on the preliminary draft, the IBC has recommended a new title, Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights, to establish the conformity of bioethics with international human rights law. The new title accurately reflects a document that cites human rights as a fundamental principle of bioethics and is studded throughout with references human rights, in addition restating the traditional principles. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which the United Nations adopted in 1948, already establishes human rights as a common standard. …