WHO expert advisory committee on developing global standards for governance and oversight of human genome editing: report of the second meeting
Geneva, Switzerland, 26–28 August 2019
Overview
Background
The World Health Organization (WHO) has established a global, multi-disciplinary expert panel to examine the scientific, ethical, social and legal challenges associated with human genome editing (both somatic and germline). The Committee includes members from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Oceania, North America and South America.
The Committee has been tasked to advise and make recommendations on appropriate institutional, national, regional and global governance mechanisms for human genome editing. During the course of its work, the Committee will review literature on current human genome editing research and its applications, consider existing proposals for governance and relevant ongoing initiatives, as well as solicit information about societal attitudes towards the different uses of this technology. The Committee will explore how best to promote transparent and trustworthy practices and how to ensure appropriate assessments are performed prior to any relevant work being undertaken.
Work of the meeting
From 26–28 August 2019, all 18 members of the Committee, observers from 12 organizations, and nine invited experts met in Geneva, Switzerland (Annex 1). The meeting was opened by Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO.
At its second substantive session, the meeting was briefed by the Committee’s working groups on: establishing a registry of relevant research and development, including efforts to make use of WHO’s International Clinical Trials Registry Platform; and responsible scientific stewardship, on their work on whistleblowing and ethics dumping. The meeting was also briefed on a background document on elements for a governance framework captured during its first meeting and subsequent discussions.
Read more
