On November 19-21, 2019, the Committee on Bioethics (DH-BIO) adopted the Strategic Action Plan on Human Rights and Technologies in Biomedical (2020 – 2025). The Council of Europe designed it to protect human dignity, human rights and individual freedoms regarding the applications of biology and medicine, based on the legally binding Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine (Ovideo Convention) of 1997.  

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Governance of technologies 

The Plan embeds human rights in the development of technologies in application of biomedicine. It examines  the practical ethical and legal implications of article 13 of the Ovideo Convention. The examination relates to the use of gene editing technologies in somatic cells and germlines. Also, the Plan assesses the relevance, sufficiency of the existing human rights framework in the applications of neurotechnologies. Furthermore, it develops a report on the application of AI in healthcare regarding its impact on the doctor-patient relationship. Accordingly, the report shall highlight the professional role on the autonomy, right to information of the patient, and the maintenance of patient trust and transparency. 

Equity in healthcare 

In addition, the Plan promotes equitable and timely access to appropriate innovative treatments and technologies in healthcare through the elaboration of a draft Recommendation. It also aims to combat the health disparities caused by social and demographic changes in the Member States. It shall develop a Guide to health literacy for vulnerable persons to empower them to access health care of appropriate quality on an equitable basis with other groups in the society.     

Physical and mental integrity

Lastly, in respect of human rights enforcement, the Plan promotes the children’s participation in the decision-making process on the matter regarding their health by developing a Guide of good practice. Then, it underlines the safeguard of children’s rights in connection with medical practices which have future or long-term implications for them via the seminars, and the rights of persons having mental health difficulties. Accordingly, it proposes the elaboration of legal instruments to protect the human rights and dignity of persons suffering mental disorders regarding involuntary placement and/or treatment and the development of a Compendium of good practices to promote voluntary measures in the field of mental healthcare.   

Source: https://www.coe.int/en/web/bioethics/strategic-action-plan 

Oviedo Convention: https://www.coe.int/en/web/bioethics/oviedo-convention

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