FG Inaugurates Bioethics Committee 18 Years After Signing UNESCO’s Declaration On Bioethics And Human Rights
As a member of UNESCO, Nigeria, signed the 2005 UNESCO Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights which affirms that ethical issues raised by rapid advances in the sciences and that technological advancement should be examined with due respect to human dignity and universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
AN OBLIGATION OF THE MEMBERSHIP IS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NATIONAL BIOETHICS COMMITTEE WHICH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA FULFILLED WITH THE INAUGURATION OF A 30 MEMBER COMMITTEE DRAWN FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
In his keynote address at the inauguration ceremony, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Senator Adeleke Mamora, said the essence of establishing the National Bioethics Committee, NBC, is to safeguard the dignity, rights safety and wellbeing of citizens who seek assistance mainly in the treatment of their health needs and for participants involved in research projects mainly in health and related fields.
According to him, the science, and technology sector, now involves arts, education, social sciences which means that no matter the level of development in a country, there is need to establish a strong NBC so as to deliver sound, informed and more acceptable policies putting into consideration, the concerns of the citizens.
On his part, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, said, Nigeria like other developing countries of the world has been experiencing an acceleration of innovations in technology including advances in medicine and biotechnology.
He noted that the degradation of agricultural lands and the general environment, regulatory fragmentation and policy awareness issues continue to present formidable challenges hence the National Bioethics framework and policy documents are to serve as guidelines for the functions of the committee.
The Director UNESCO Regional Office for West Africa and the Sahel and Officer In Charge, Abuja office, Dr. Dimitri Sanga, represented by Regina Priso, said the establishment of a National Bioethics Committee in any country especially with the full cooperation of the government, is a step in the right direction.
For organisers, including the Director General National Biotechnology Development Agency, NABDA, Professor Abdullahi Mustapha, Olagunji Idowu, Dr. Chitu Womehoma Princewill among others said they were chosen based on integrity, wisdom and honesty and are expected to advise government on the best approach to protect the rights of the citizenry on science and bio-research.
By: Princess-Ekwi Ajide
