Comparative Table of Parliamentary TA Institutions
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
- 276 (2010) on the Draft convention of the Council of Europe on
counterfeiting of medical products and similar crimes involving threats
to public health
- 267 (2008) on the Draft additional protocol to the Convention on
Human Rights and biomedicine concerning genetic testing for health
purposes
- 252 (2004) on the Draft additional Protocol to the Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine on Biomedical Research;
- 227 (2001)on the draft protocol to the European Convention on Human
Rights and Biomedicine, concerning transplantation or organs and
tissues of human origin;
- 202 (1997) on the draft additional protocol to that convention on the prohibition of cloning human beings;
- 198 (1996) on the draft convention on human rights and biomedicine;
ONGOING REPORTS
The ethics of science (Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media)
Nanotechnologies (Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development)
Chapter Topics - all countries
Country Report Council of Europe
| © EPTA, version 20 Oct 2012; provided by ITA |