BCEPS Lead Researcher Prof. Ingrid Miljeteig selected as UNESCO International Bioethics Committee Member

BCEPS Lead Researcher Prof. Ingrid Miljeteig has been selected as a UNESCO International Bioethics Committee (IBC) member.

The IBC consists of 36 leading independent experts from around the world who each serve a four-year term on the committee. Created in 1993, the IBC provides the only global forum for reflection in bioethics. The experts follow the progress in the life sciences and its applications in order to ensure respect for human dignity and freedom.

The Director-General of UNESCO convenes the IBC at least once a year, and members give advice and recommendations—through sessions, meetings and working groups—that are adopted by consensus and then widely disseminated, including submission to the Director-General of UNESCO for transmission to the Member States, the Executive Board and the General Conference.

Each year has a particular focus, and the work programme of the Committee for 2024-2025 will focus especially on the ethics of synthetic biology and mental health, two very important and timely global issues. In addition, the Committee remains open to addressing other challenges related to bioethics that might emerge during this time period.

We congratulate Prof. Miljeteig for being selected for this prestigious committee and look forward to the great work she will do as a Member of the IBC.