Chapter II: Ethics

The matter may be referred to the National Consultative Ethics Committee for Life Sciences and Health by the President of the Republic, the President of the National Assembly, the President of the Senate or a member of the Government, as well as by a higher education establishment, a public establishment or a foundation recognised as being in the public interest. The main activity of these establishments or foundations must be…

The Committee elects a Vice-Chairman from among its members to deputise for the Chairman.

Within the Committee, a Technical Section examines the matters placed on the agenda by the Chairman. The Technical Section is responsible for dealing with other matters referred to the Committee, in accordance with the conditions laid down in the Committee’s internal rules.

The Technical Section is made up of eight members chosen from the categories defined in 5° of I of article L. 1412-2 and four members chosen from the categories defined in 2°, 3°, 4° and 6° of I of the same article. They are appointed by the Committee on the proposal of its Chairman. The Technical Section elects its Chairman from among the eight members mentioned in the first paragraph.

Meetings of the Committee and its Section are not open to the public. Voting shall be by secret ballot by decision of the Chairman or at the request of one or more members present. In the event of a tied vote, the Chairman has the casting vote. The Committee and its Technical Section may only deliberate if at least half its members are present.

The Committee and its Technical Section may hear qualified persons called upon to provide an opinion or expertise on any item on the agenda.

The committee adopts its own rules of procedure, which define how it and its technical section operate.

The duties of a member of the National Consultative Ethics Committee for Health and Life Sciences are performed free of charge. However, the chairman of this committee receives a fixed monthly allowance, the amount of which is set by a joint order of the Prime Minister and the ministers responsible for health and the budget. The Chairman and the other members are entitled to the travel and subsistence allowances provided…

The Chairman of the National Consultative Ethics Committee for Health and Life Sciences is the chief authorising officer for credits entered in the Prime Minister’s budget for the Committee. He may delegate the signing of all acts relating to the operation of the committee to a category A employee or a contract employee of the same level under his authority.

The National Consultative Ethics Committee for Health and Life Sciences provides the public with documentation and information on the ethical issues raised by health and life sciences.