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About the Council

The Irish Council for Bioethics was an independent, National body set up by the Government in 2002 to consider the ethical questions raised by recent developments in science and medicine.

The Council had two primary functions. The first was to provide independent advice to Government and policymakers, and the second was to promote public understanding and informed discussion of bioethical issues.

Terms of Reference

1. To identify and interpret the ethical questions raised by biomedicine in order to respond to, and anticipate, questions of substantive concern. 

2. To investigate and report on such questions in the interests of promoting public understanding, informed discussion and education.

3. In light of the outcome of its work, to stimulate discussion through conferences, workshops, lectures, published reports and where appropriate suggest guidelines.