General Information

The enormous potential of modern science and technology on one hand and the favourable terms of economy, politics and social mentality on the other, make scientific challenge easy and the quest for improvement of the quality of life uncontrollable.
Thus, biomedical investigation, experiments and applications drastically change the anatomy and physiology of the human body, intervene in its biology, and provoke or even threaten the very gene of human nature.
The pace of growth of biomedical knowledge outruns the ability of our society to adjust to it. Hence, the study of ethical, legal, social and economic dimensions of biomedical research achievements is not only challenging for its beauty, but also imminent for its necessity.
The admiration and wonder for scientific achievements along with the questioning and uncertainty arising from their unknown consequences upon humankind are depicted in the exclamation and question marks that form the emblem of our Center.

Objectives of the Center

The main objectives of the Hellenic Center for Biomedical Ethics (HCBE) are:
a) the acquisition of academic knowledge on the related fields,
b) the understanding of all dimensions of the new and future applications of biomedical research,
c) the search for answers or the proposition of alternative solutions on the emerging dilemmas.

Activities

a. Research
The research is carried out by well-known physicians, biologists, lawyers, historians and theologians as well as young scientists and students of relevant fields.

According to its content the research is classified into five divisions:
- Medical Philosophy-History
- Biology-Genetic Engineering
- Medical Technology-Transplantations
- Clinical Medicine, and
- Social Medicine-Medical Law

Samples of our research projects and interests are:
- assessment and evaluation of human gene mapping and human genome project applications
- biotechnology
- cloning
- gene therapy
- ethical and legal rights of the frozen embryo
- ethics of psychosurgery
- transplantation and brain death
- euthanasia and definition of the end of life
- AIDS
- contraception
- abortion
- in vitro fertilization
- artificial insemination - sperm banks
- committees on ethics
- genetically modified food

b. Education
Due to the rapid evolution of the biomedical sciences, staying up to date is of absolute importance for all HCBE members. Regular seminars attract distinguished speakers and cover all areas of interest. Furthermore, the Center promotes the exchange of expertise and know-how with peer centres abroad and supports participation of its members in international events.
Among other things, the Center aims at helping young scientists acquire a deep sense of the current biomedical issues and develop the ability to foresee complicated problems.
A limited number of scholarships are available to promising young students.

c. International Cooperation
The research team has about 40 members and colleagues at National Institutes of Health (NIH), Harvard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Tufts, Duke and Washington University in the USA and Imperial College in England. HCBE has already established contacts and close affiliation and communication with 24 centres and programs in the USA, Europe, Australia and Canada.

d. Social Activities
The primary aim of the Center is to remain a dynamic, living organisation closely interacting with society. Through the dissemination of important recent research the Centre works to raise the awareness of the general public and society decision-makers. This is accomplished through the regular communications to Church and Government agencies, individual politicians, organisations, committees and other key entities. Also contributing to this aim are the Centre's participation and hosting of conferences and media events, the publications of related books and materials, as well as many other activities.

HCBE and the International Community

The purpose of the HCBE is to become a centre of excellence by attracting young scientists and conducting advanced, original research. The Centre is particularly oriented toward the active involvement in related programmes, committees and research activities of the European Commission, the European Parliament and other such European bodies. Since the HCBE is the only centre for bioethics presently operating in Greece, its responsibility to represent each issue in the light of our Hellenic culture and Orthodox Christian tradition makes its role uniquely critical and timely.