International Law

Council of Europe: Additional Protocol to the Convention on… concerning Biomedical Research

International Law

Council of Europe: Additional Protocol to the Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine, concerning Biomedical Research

Strasbourg, 25.I.2005

Preamble

The member States of the Council of Europe, the other States and the European Community signatories to this Additional Protocol to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Dignity of the Human Being with regard to the Application of Biology and Medicine (hereinafter referred to as

Considering that the aim of the Council of Europe is the achievement of greater unity between its members and that one of the methods by which this aim is pursued is the maintenance and further realisation of human rights and fundamental freedoms;

Considering that the aim of the Convention, as defined in Article 1, is to protect the dignity and identity of all human beings and guarantee everyone, without discrimination, respect for their integrity and other rights and fundamental freedoms with regard to the application of biology and medicine;

Considering that progress in medical and biological sciences, in particular advances obtained through biomedical research, contributes to saving lives and improving quality of life;

Conscious of the fact that the advancement of biomedical science and practice is dependent on knowledge and discovery which necessitates research on human beings;

Stressing that such research is often transdisciplinary and international;

Taking into account national and international professional standards in the field of biomedical research and the previous work of the Committee of Ministers and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in this field;

Convinced that biomedical research that is contrary to human dignity and human rights should never be carried out;

Stressing the paramount concern to be the protection of the human being participating in research;

Affirming that particular protection shall be given to human beings who may be vulnerable in the context of research;

Recognising that every person has a right to accept or refuse to undergo biomedical research and that no one should be forced to undergo such research;

Resolving to take such measures as are necessary to safeguard human dignity and the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual with regard to biomedical research,

Have agreed as follows: