54 Volodymyrska St., 01601, Kyiv, Ukraine

Phone: (044) 239 6623; fax: (044) 234 8356;
e-mail: biomed@nas.gov.ua

National Scientific Center for Medical and Biotechnical Research under NAS Presidium was set up by NAS Presidium resolution N 114 of 21.04.1995 and is an Academy organization with coordinative, research and scientific-and-advisory functions.

The main aims of the Center are: support to scientific activities in NAS institutions in the area of fundamental biomedical research, developing medical preparations, materials, appliances and technological equipment for medical purposes on the basis of the advances of the world science, as well as organizing respective integrated research of NAS institutes with institutions of other ministries and agencies, including the foreign ones.

The Center implemented the project ‘Analysis of current state and prospects of biomedical research in NAS institutions: studying and applying the experience of organizing joint research for promoting medicine with regional and international science centers’. It served as a basis for assisting scientists of NAS institutes in searching for foreign partners, preparing and drawing up joint research projects under INTAS, INCO-COPERNICUS programs, NATO Science Programme and Cooperation Partners. In 1998 and 2000 the Center held NATO Advanced Research Workshops.

Since 2001 the Center has been working out the project ‘Research, development and implementation of bioethics principles in Ukraine’. The Center was given the status of the basis organization of the Bioethics Commission of Ukraine, organized late in 2001 as a consultative body under the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. Decree of the Cabinet N°1256 of 29.08. 2002 approved the Statute of the Commission, identifying priorities of its activities. The work of the Bioethics Commission is aimed at further implementation of human rights and fundamental freedoms, providing the development of internationally recognized moral and ethic norms and regulations in the field of biology and medicine, protection of animal world and the environment.

With Center’s participation, the First National Congress on Bioethics was held in September 2001, with circa 230 reports presented and over 450 scholars of 18 countries participating. The Congress analyzed the status of research into bioethical problems, conducted in Ukraine and abroad, the ‘Ethical Code of Physician of Ukraine’ and ‘Bioethical norms for testing new medicinal preparations’ were also discussed. Proceedings of the Congress were published.

The Concept of State Policy in the Field of Bioethics in Ukraine and the ‘Law on Bioethics and Bioethical Expert Evaluation’ were drafted.

Educational programs in bioethics for schools and universities are developed.

Extensive work is carried out towards preparing basic documents for Verkhovna Rada ratification of the ‘Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Dignity of the Human Being with Regard to the Application of Biology and Medicine: Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine’.