Changes for the Institut Pasteur Ethics Committee and start of the new term

On Monday November 30, 2020, the inaugural session of the 2020-2024 term of the Institut Pasteur Ethics Committee will be held, attended by Stewart Cole. The committee, initially set up in 1993, has undergone several changes for this new term: the chair, Margaret Buckingham, will oversee three separate subcommittees, each composed of three members:

• Subcommittee A, "Biological and Medical Science," whose members are physicians or holders of a PhD in Science;

• Subcommittee B, "Humanities," whose members have a background in philosophy, law or sociology;

• Subcommittee C, "Civil Society," whose members are from the non-profit sector or represent the interests of research participants (ICAReB cohorts).

Gender parity will be the rule and the majority of members are from outside the Institut Pasteur.

This new structure illustrates the Institut Pasteur's determination to emphasize the relationship between science and society in its work, in keeping with the strategy laid down in the Strategic Plan drawn up by the management team, and to develop complementary skills alongside its traditional expertise in science.

The Ethics Committee will play a driving role in new institutional policies rooted in responsible, innovative research; it will liaise with the National Consultative Ethics Committee (CCNE) and may act on its own initiative on matters that it deems to be relevant within the scope of its mission. Another key point to note is that any member of Institut Pasteur staff (or individuals treated as such) may refer a question to the committee, and if this question is considered relevant by at least three committee members, it will be added to the agenda.

The committee will meet on a regular basis; one of its first tasks will be to produce a new draft Ethics Charter.

The Ethics Unit will support the committee's work.

Find out more:

Read decision memo 1056 (in French)Read decision memo 1057 (in French)