COUNCIL OF EUROPE - THE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE 

Topics

The Assembly has always paid attention to science and technology and its work also covers topical and emerging issues in the field of science, scientific research, new technologies and their impact on sustainable development and society. These are dealt with by different Assembly committees.

The specific terms of reference of the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media includes the task of maintaining working relations with the European Science Foundation and the European Parliamentary Technology Assessment Network. The committee deals with science and scientific research and the impact of scientific and technological development on society. The main focus of its work has been and remains the ethical principles and standards that should govern scientific research and the use of new technologies.

A General Rapporteur on Science and Technology Impact Assessment is appointed among the committee's members with the following main tasks: to follow activities of other Assembly committees and liaise with rapporteurs dealing with scientific and technological matters from other perspectives such as their social, economic, health and environmental impact; to follow activities and maintain working relations with national parliaments as well as with relevant international, intergovernmental, inter-parliamentary or other organisations including the EPTA Network; and to report periodically back to the committee on the information collected and the action taken.

The Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development deals with health protection and the prevention of health risks; biomedicine, the impact on the environment/ecosystem of sectoral policies such as transport, energy, water management, and of new technologies such as nanotechnologies or technologies based on electromagnetic waves.

Although the Assembly does not directly implement technology assessment activities, its work in the field of science and technology is founded on the precautionary principle and seeks to promote the highest ethical principles and firm standards of transparency, independence and credibility in assessment, in order to guarantee human dignity and fundamental rights.

SELECTION OF RELEVANT DOCUMENTS ADOPTED BY THE ASSEMBLY

RECOMMENDATIONS

• 1959 (2011) on Preventive health care policies in the Council of Europe member states
• 1929 (2010) on The handling of the H1N1 pandemic: more transparency needed
• 1885 (2009) on Drafting an additional protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights concerning the right to a healthy environment
• 1863 (2009) on Environment and health: better prevention of environment-related health hazards
• 1794 (2007) on The quality of medicines in Europe
• 1787 (2007) on The precautionary principle and responsible risk management
• 1512 (2001) on Protection of the human genome by the Council of Europe
• 1468 (2000) on Biotechnologies

RESOLUTIONS

• 1870(2012) on the need for independent and credible expert assessments
• 1816 (2011) on Health hazards of heavy metals and other metals
• 1815 (2011) on Potential dangers of electromagnetic fields and their effect on the environment
• 1795 (2011) on Genetically modified organisms: a solution for the future
• 1774 (2010) on Enhancing Europe's energy security through greater use of liquefied natural gas
• 1679 (2009) on Nuclear energy and sustainable development
• 1588 (2007) on Radioactive waste and protection of the environment
• 1393 (2004) on Parliaments and the knowledge society
• 1352 (2003) on Human stem cell research
• 1083 (1996) on Parliaments and the assessment of scientific and technological choices

OPINIONS

1. 276 (2010) on the Draft convention of the Council of Europe on counterfeiting of medical products and similar crimes involving threats to public health
2. 267 (2008) on the Draft additional protocol to the Convention on Human Rights and biomedicine concerning genetic testing for health purposes
3. 252 (2004) on the Draft additional Protocol to the Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine on Biomedical Research;
4. 227 (2001)on the draft protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine, concerning transplantation or organs and tissues of human origin;
5. 202 (1997) on the draft additional protocol to that convention on the prohibition of cloning human beings;
6. 198 (1996) on the draft convention on human rights and biomedicine;

ONGOING REPORTS

© EPTA, version 20 Oct 2012; provided by ITA