International Biolaw and Shared Ethical Principles : The Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights

The Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights, 2005, marked a significant step towards the recognition of universal standards in the field of science and medicine. This book provides an overview of the ethical and legal developments which have occurred in the field of bioethics and human rights since then. The work critically analyzes the Declaration from an ethical and legal perspective, commenting on its implementation, and discussing the role of non-binding norms in international bioethics. The authors examine whether the Declaration has contributed to the understanding of universal or global bioethics, and to what degree states have implemented the principles in their domestic legislation. The volume explores the currency of the Declaration vis-à-vis the more recent developments in technology and medicine and looks ahead to envisage the major bioethical challenges of the next twenty years. In this context, the book offers a comprehensive ethical and legal study of the Declaration with an in-depth analysis of the meaning of the provisions, in order to clarify the extension of human rights in the field of medicine and the obligations incumbent upon UNESCO member States, with reference to their implementation practice.

Cinzia Caporale is head of the `Research Ethics, Bioethics, Biolaw and Biopolitics’ research unit at the Institute of Biomedical Technologies of the National Research Council of Italy (CNR). She is the Coordinator of the CNR Research Ethics and Bioethics Committee and represents CNR on the topic of Research Integrity on the international level. She is adjunct professor of Bioethics at Sapienza University of Rome and a member of the Italian National Bioethics Committee. She is the President of the Ethics Committee of L. Spallanzani National Institute for Infectious Diseases and of the U. Veronesi Foundation and Director of the scientific journal The Future of Science and Ethics. She has been Chairperson of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Bioethics Committee for two mandates. Under her presidency the `Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights’ was elaborated and adopted.

Ilja Richard Pavone gained his PhD in International Law and Human Rights at Sapienza University, Rome. Currently he is Senior Researcher of International Law at the National Research Council of Italy, Rome, where he coordinates the research unit in "International, European and National Biolaw". He is also Professor of Environmental Law at The Tuscia University, Viterbo. In the past, he has taught at the universities of Rome (Sapienza), Venice (Venice International University), Macerata and Siena. He has been visiting professor at Queensland University, New York University, Bochum University and Max Planck Institute. He is author of over 50 publications, essays and articles in International Law and European Union law, with a particular focus on Bioethics, Human Rights, International Health Law, and Environment Protection.