MOTION FOR THE RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON USING EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS

Transcription

1 Wrocław, September 2010 MOTION FOR THE RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON USING EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS The use of embryonic stem cells: Blessing or Curse? What are the opportunities and threats of this technology? To what extend should embryonic stem cells be used? Submitted by: Adam Adamowicz, Paweł Król, Jacek Łazeczko, Olimpia Matusiak, Krystian Olejnik, Marta Pękalska, Paulina Początek, Judyta Powszek, Radosław Strojny, Mateusz Urbaniak, Adrianna Wojtala, Krzysztof Zdobylak, Dawid Durejko (Chairperson, EYP Poland) The 2WAYS Science Parliament A. Fully aware that the constant progress of embryonic stem cell technology offers great chances for the development of medical science, B. Realising the immense controversies concerning the ethical code of embryonic stem cells use, C. Concerned with the lack of legal regulations in the sphere of embryonic stem cell technology, D. Alarmed by the exceptionally low social awareness of stem cell technologies, E. Keeping in mind the threats originating in uncontrolled use of embryonic stem cell technology, F. Taking into account that the present state of knowledge is insufficient to exclude possible negative consequences of medical use of this technology, G. Deeply concerned with a large amount of untapped and destroyed embryos coming from IVF; 1. States the relevance of enabling the tests on embryonic stem cells; 2. Postulates in response to numerous ethical controversies working on alternative embryonic stem cell technology such as induced pluripotent stem cells and stem cells from other sources, simultaneously with the embryonic stem cell technology development; 3. Recommends legal limitation of embryonic stem cell use solely for the medical testing purpose;

2 4. Further recommends broadening knowledge and social awareness about the use of embryonic stem cells, by school education and social campaigns; 5. Calls for the legalisation of donating untapped embryos coming from IVF for medical purposes.

3 Wrocław, September 2010 MOTION FOR THE RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON USING RESULTS FROM GENETIC TESTS Using the results from genetic tests: what are the consequences for society? Genetic tests can lead to a better treatment of diseases, but who should get hold on the results? Should insurance companies or employers get access to the information? How can abuse be avoided? How can a legal environment be created that secures the privacy of the results? Submitted by: Oliwier Czyż, Czesław Domarecki, Stanisław Drabarek, Ewa Gola, Katarzyna Golińczak, Anna Górecka, Magdalena Hermaszewska, Patryk Iwanicki, Paulina Kowaliszyn, Marcin Kożuszek, Mikołaj Kukiałka, Natalia Kurpaska, Edyta Mende, Paula Ziembicka, Mariusz Żyłka, Magdalena Pietras (Chairperson, EYP Poland) The 2WAYS Science Parliament A. Aware of the continuous progress in the field of genetic tests, B. Bearing in mind the ethical consequences related to genetic tests, C. Expressing its concern regarding: i. securing the results of genetic tests, ii. potential emergence of black market of genetic tests, iii. potential discrimination of insurance companies, employers and spouses resulting from genetic tests, D. Noting with regret the lack of: i. an institution controlling genetic tests market, ii. legal norms and regulations regarding genetics, iii. equal access to genetic tests resulting from their high cost, E. Aware of low level of social awareness regarding genetics and thus an urgent need to comprehensive education in this field, F. Anticipating the establishment of clear rules regarding the scope of rights of persons authorized to commission genetic tests, G. Supporting the introduction of a clear regulation determining persons and institutions that would have access to the results of genetic tests, H. Noting with concern potential negative socio-economic consequences of genetic tests despite numerous benefits they might bring,

4 I. Firmly believing that the necessity to treat one s genotype as a personal interest and thus protect it legally, J. Affirms the precision of genetic research, K. Expects that a balance between the progress of science and legal regulations be achieved; 1. Supports the freedom of science as long as it respects common ethical and social norms; 2. Calls upon creating legal regulations regarding: a. access to results of genetic tests, b. strict penalization of using genetic tests results without the test subject s consent; 3. Regards as necessary the establishment of a central institution associating and controlling all private genetic research facilities, 4. Encourages raising awareness by launching an international campaign that would include: a. introducing genetic diagnostics to national school curricula, b. engaging medical as well as media in promoting conscious decisions regarding taking genetic tests; 5. Trust that through educational activities it may: a. increase general interest in genetic tests, b. increase the demand for genetic tests and thus the competition between genetic tests providers, c. play a role in decreasing the unemployment rates by creating workplaces in a newly established field; 6. Calls upon introducing a ban on sharing information regarding results of genetic tests that would concern: a. insurance companies, b. employers, c. spouses, in case of no written consent of the person tested; 7. Welcomes the possibility of providing doctors (for instance occupational physicians) with partial access to results of genetic tests in cases justifiable from a medical or legal point of view; 8. Recommends the establishment of a database of voluntarily published results of genetic tests including: a. encoding of samples so as to ensure their anonymity, b. control of data access, c. a register of all persons and institutions accessing the data; 9. Further endorses the priority of the donor as far as data access and disposal are concerned.

5 Wrocław, September 2010 MOTION FOR THE RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON GENETIC CAUSES OF AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOUR When genes trigger aggressive behaviour? Brain research has discovered that genes control processes in our brain that might lead to aggressive behaviour. What consequences does this knowledge have for jurisdiction? How should people be treated that were identified to have a gene that makes them a potential violent criminal? Submitted by: Paulina Bildź, Beniamin Czerwonajcio, Joanna Dubaj, Dorota Dziewońska, Ewelina Gajek, Wojciech Gołub, Aleksandra Ilnicka, Paweł Komendziński, Grzegorz Lebedowicz, Aleksandra Mikła, Alicja Pakiet, Patryk Pozowski, Jakub Szczepankiewicz, Marcin Uciechowski, Kamila Żelazna, Krzysztof Ignaciuk (Chairperson, EYP Poland) The 2WAYS Science Parliament A. Confident that there exists more than one gene determining the level of aggression, B. Affirming that aggression is a multi-faceted phenomenon, C. Noting with deep concern the unpredictability of the consequences of interfering in the genome, D. Takes into consideration the problem of therapeutic support for the people burdened with the genes of aggression, E. Deeply concerned with unsatisfactory state o knowledge about the influence of genes on aggressive behaviour, F. Regretting lack of sufficient social awareness in the sphere of the influence of genes on aggressive behaviour; 1. Encourages continuation and intensification of the research into genes of aggression; 2. Recommends including the data on genes determining proclivity for aggression in the court files of the defendant; 3. Emphasizes that the information about the proclivity for aggression cannot be an argument in a court trial, although they might influence the reduction of the sentence; 4. Endorses that the defendant could undergo genetic tests, as a result of the defense motion, if there are justified prerequisites; 5. Discourages genes interference, until the science would reach a properly advanced level in the sphere of gene therapy;

6 6. Demands a psychological treatment for the convicted, in whose cases it was adjudicated that the gene of aggression had an influence on the committed act; 7. Suggests optional pharmacological treatment of the convicted, in whose cases it was adjudicated that the gene of aggression had an influence on the committed act; 8. Calls for broadening the social awareness by organizing a social campaign informing about the genes of aggression; 9. Condemns the discrimination of people with the genetical proclivity for aggression.

7 Wrocław, September 2010 MOTION FOR THE RESOLUTION BY THE COMMITTEE ON PERSONALIZED MEDICINE Personalized Medicine: more diagnoses with the help of DNA analysis? New methods of diagnosis can ascertain people at a very early stage that they live with a high risk of seriously ill in the future. Should this early diagnosis be obligatory for everybody? What are the threats and opportunities for the psychological health of the individual? What general regulations are necessary? Submitted by: Michał Augustyniak, Paulina Hałuszka, Izabela Hamal, Tomasz Jerczyński, Adrian Kac, Alina Mackaniec, Aleksandra Partyńska, Daria Piechota, Dominika Pupka, Hanna Salmonowicz, Magdalena senderska, Paweł Szymański, Paula Świątek, Marta Bożek (Chairperson, EYP Poland) The 2WAYS Science Parliament A. Aware that the development of personalized genetical diagnostics may provide patients with various benefits as well as reinforce scientific development, B. Noting with regret a very low level of awareness in Polish society regarding genetic material analysis as well as possible benefits and threats related to this issue, C. Observing that unequal access to genetic tests deriving from their high cost may be one reasons behind the aforementioned low level of awareness in Poland, D. Further believing that lack equal access to genetic tests is highly disadvantageous for patients, E. Regretting that Poland has not ratified the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Dignity of the Human Being with regard to the Application of Biology and Medicine, F. Noting with concern the lack of medical care that should provided by psychologists and medics specialised in the field of genetics to patients taking genetic tests, G. Noting with regret the lack of possibilities for high-quality prevention and treatment resulting from insufficient number of medical staff, H. Taking into account the influence of genetic tests on one s decisions and mental health, I. Fully aware that genetic tests taken in early stages of development, i.e. preimplantation genetic diagnosis and prenatal diagnosis, are related to ethical dilemmas concerning abortion as well as in vitro fertilisation, J. Recognising the right each patient has to act in accordance with their conscience and religion; 1. Supports the initiative of reimbursing the cost of genetic test that would allow for early diagnosis of diseases as well as treatment preventing further development of disease;

8 2. Recommends launching social campaigns as an effective means of increasing the level social awareness about genetic tests; 3. Urges Poland to ratify the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Dignity of the Human Being with regard to the Application of Biology and Medicine; 4. Proposes to introduce a patient s medical declaration stating their willingness to learn about diagnosis and further treatment of their disease; 5. Hopes for an introduction of legal regulations concerning mandatory consultations with psychologists and medics specialised in the field of genetics to be held before and after the test; 6. Emphasises the need to increase the number of qualified specialists providing patients with objective and comprehensive information concerning results as well as consequences of genetic tests; 7. Recommends that a state institution be in charge of controlling the quality of services provided by DNA tests facilities; 8. Further proposes facilities meeting the quality requirements be given a license that would be: a. given to a restricted number of facilities, b. given for a limited period of time, c. subject to prolongation after the facility in question would have been examined by a commission investigating the quality its services. 9. Endorses treating issues concerning PDG, eugenics, in vitro fertilization and prenatal diagnosis in accordance with the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Dignity of the Human Being with regard to the Application of Biology and Medicine.