Joint statement of EGE and Smer

Today, the EGE held a joint meeting with the Swedish National Council on Medical Ethics (Smer) in Stockholm. The two groups discussed their ongoing and planned work, with a focus on the intersection of the EGE’s forthcoming Opinion on Democracy in the Digital Age and the Smer’s work on digital technologies in the area of health.

In their joint statement, issued on this occasion, they highlight the important role of ethics councils, especially in times of converging societal challenges and rapid technological change. They also warn about the marketisation of the provision of public goods that satisfy basic needs, such as health care. Such public goods need to remain freely available and accessible to all citizens.

The EGE and the Smer met in advance of the 31st Forum of National Ethics Councils, hosted by the Smer in Stockholm on 25 and 26 May 2023. The two groups’ joint statement also emphasises the importance of maintaining cooperation between ethics councils in different countries and indeed at European and global level.

More information

Joint statement following the meeting between the EGE and Smer in Stockholm

European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies