DCU Professor of Nursing appointed member of the Irish Council for Bioethics
24 January 2003

Anne Scott, Professor of Nursing at DCU, has been appointed a member of the Irish Council for Bioethics launched by the Tánaiste, Ms Mary Harney td, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment at the Royal Irish Academy on Wednesday 22 January.

The brief of the Irish Council for Bioethics is to identify and interpret the ethical questions raised by research in the biological sciences in order to respond to and anticipate questions of substantive concern. It will also suggest ethical guidelines and promote public understanding. The government can also refer questions to the Council for consideration and advice.

At the launch of the new body, the Tánaiste said, "It is vital that we have a body in place to identify, consider and clarify the ethical issues raised by research in the life sciences and their applications. The Irish Council for Bioethics has an important role to play in these ever changing times, and the independent status will be vital to ensure a fair and unbiased approach to their work programme and published works. The Council is to be commended for establishing a membership of such highly respected individuals with a vast amount of expertise and knowledge in their respective fields".

Anne brings to the Council her nursing background, academic preparation in philosophy and her specialist interest in health care ethics. She is currently working on one of the three subgroup of the Irish Bioethics Council; the subgroup examining the role and function of research ethics committees in Ireland. - for further information on the School of nursing and its activities see:

<www.dcu.ie/nursing/

The Council's membership of twenty-one consists of lawyers, philosophers/ethicists, medics, geneticists, food scientists, biologists, microbiologists, biochemists, and journalists. (see membership list below)

For further information see:

www.bioethics.ie or contact: Prof Anne Scott 7008271

Terms of reference of the Irish Council for Bioethics

• To identify and interpret the ethical questions raised by biological and medical research in order to respond to, and anticipate, questions of substantive concern.
• To make arrangements for examining and reporting on such questions with a view to promoting public understanding and discussion; this may contribute, where needed, to the formulation of new guidelines by the appropriate regulatory or other body.
• In the light of the outcome of its work, to publish reports, to stimulate discussion through other means, including conferences, workshops, and lectures.
• Members have been invited to join the Council by virtue of their personal expertise, distinction and authority and not as representatives of particular bodies or professions. Members of the Council shall be obliged to make a declaration of relevant interests to ensure transparency.

Membership of the Council

Professor Patrick Cunningham MRIA, TCD Department of Genetics
Mr Matt Dempsey, Irish Farmers' Journal
Dr Dolores Dooley, UCC, Department of Philosophy
Dr Margaret Fitzgerald, Food Safety Authority of Ireland
Dr Patrick Flanagan, formerly of the Environmental Protection Agency
Mr Dermot Gleeson SC, former Attorney General
Professor Patrick Hannon, St Patrick's College, Maynooth
Mr Kenneth Kearon, Irish School of Ecumenics
Professor Cecily Kelleher, NUIG Department of Health Promotion
Dr Mark Lawler, Cancer Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, St James's Hospital
Dr Tony McGleenan, QUB School of Law
Mr Peter McKenna, Rotunda Hospital s Mary Mulvihill, Science Writer
Dr Nora O'Brien, UCC, Department of Food Science, Food Technology and Nutrition
Professor Fergal O'Gara, UCC Microbiology Department
Professor Ronan O'Regan MRIA, UCD Department of Human Anatomy and Physiology
Professor Anne Scott, DCU, School of Nursing
Mr Asim Sheikh, UCD Division of Legal Medicine
Professor Seán Strain, UU School of Biomedical Sciences
Professor Peter Whittaker, Institute of Environment, Philosophy and Public Policy at Lancaster University and formerly of the NUIM Biology Department