Current topics
At present we work on a report on somatic and heritable genediting. This year we have focus on several topics under the umbrella "Genetic integrity 2.0" and the council follow up ethical questions raised by the ungoing pandemic.
New report: Health care of persons without permanent residence permits
According to the Swedish National Council on Medical Ethics, persons without permanent residence permits should not be refused health care due to uncertainty concerning their access to aftercare.
Smer signed the WHO Declaration for Vaccine Equity
The Swedish Council on Medical Ethics, Smer, has signed The WHO Declaration for Vaccine Equity on February 23.
Webinar: Ethical choices in a pandemic – a Swedish perspective
Webinar on Ethical choices in a pandemic – a Swedish perspective on Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (CET) arranged by the Nordic Committee on Bioethics ( NCBio) in cooperation with the Swedish National Council on Medical Ethics (Smer)
Webinar on global ethics in a time of pandemic
The Swedish National Council on Medical Ethics and the Center for Applied Ethics, Linköping University, are hosting a webbinar on global ethics and justice in a pandemic.
Ethical challenges associated with AI must be dealt with
The ethical challenges associated with AI in healthcare must be taken seriously, if we are to fully exploit the opportunities that the technology opens up. This is a conclusion in a new report from the Swedish National Council on Medical Ethics.
The Swedish National Council on Medical Ethics (Smer) provides an overview of the core ethical values, problems and challenges that are actualised in a pandemic, based on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Lena Hallengren, Minister for Health and Social Affairs has appointed Kenneth Johansson as new chair for The Swedish National Council on Medical Ethics.
New report: Signs of life after late abortion
In this report the Swedish National Council on Medical Ethics analyses ethical issues in connection with late abortion close to the medical limit for viability.
Smer comments on genetic testing of children
One conclusion is that genetic testing of children should only be carried out within the health care setting.
Smer calls for the Government to review gender dysforia in childhood and adolescence
According to the Swedish National Council on Medical Ethics, there is an urgent need for more knowledge concerning gender dysforia in childhood and adolescence.
Report: A tool for ethical analysis of health care governance models
The council has published a proposal for a tool for ethical analysis of health care governance models.
The Council’s message to the Government: medical age assessment in the asylum process needs to be objectively examined
The Council has sent a letter to the Department of Justice concerning medical age assessment in the asylum process.
Watch the film from the conference: Artificial intelligence in health care
The aim of the conference was to illuminate how artificial intelligence might change healthcare and what ethical challenges the development brings with it.
Ethics conference 2018: Artificial intelligence in healthcare. What are the opportunities? Ethical challenges?
The Swedish National Council on Medical Ethics arranges this year's ethics Conference the 6th of December 2018. Welcome!
Smer’s report on assisted dying now available in English
Smer has published an English translation of the council's inventory of the current knowledge on assisted dying.
Smer calls for the government to review the current legislation on gene technology
Since the Genetic Integrity Act (2006:351) came into force 2006, new technologies have been developed that are not covered by the law. According to Smer, there is a need for a national strategy for the field of gene technology in order to promote an ethically sustainable and safe developement where respect for human dignity is preserved.
New report: The Quantifed Human. Ethical aspects on self-monitoring by wearables and health apps
New report from the council on June 14, 2017. In this report, the Swedish National Council on Medical Ethics (Smer) summarises the project it initiated on self-monitoring using wearable technology and health apps.
The European Commission has officially re-launched the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies (EGE) by appointing 15 high-calibre members. One of our expert members, Nils-Eric Sahlin, Professor of Medical Ethics, Lund University, is amongst the appointed members.
Two new Smer comments published
The Swedish National Council on Medical Ethics has published two new comments: one regarding care of intersexual children, and the other fetal reduction.
Current work: a factual report concerning assisted death
In the Swedish media there is an ongoing debate over autonomy at the end of life and whether assisted death in any form should be legalized. Smer is currently working on a factual report concerning assisted death.
The Swedish National Council on Medical Ethics arranges the seminar “Neuroethics: Deep Brain Stimulation” on the 16th of March at the Riksdag.
Watch lectures from Ethics Day 2016
The theme for the conference was “Self-determination, physician assisted dying and care at the end of life”. Among the participants were professors Wayne Sumner and Anthony Back who gave presentations concerning physician-assisted suicide in Canada and in the United States.
Ethical assessments at the border between health and medical care and research
The Swedish Council on Medical Ethics has today published a report concerning innovative therapies offered within clinical practice as a treatment outside a research protocol.
A summary of the report will be published in English shortly.
Opinion on the use of medical methods to assess age in the asylum process
The Swedish National Council on Medical Ethics considers it ethical to use medical methods to assess age in the asylum process, under certain circumstances.