II Internacional Conference of the UNESCO Bioethics Chair of the University of Barcelona

UNIVERSITY OF BARCELONA SCHOOL OF LAW, Barcelona, 02/02/09

On 26 and 27 January 2009, the Aula Magna (Main Lecture Hall) of the Law Faculty of the Universitat de Barcelona (UB) hosted the Second Internacional Conference of the University’s UNESCO Bioethics Chair, celebrated this year under the motto of "Human Dignity as a basis of the Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights", with the attendance of a large number of foreign students in the Bioethics Masters Degree, students from different UB faculties, and professionals in the field of health.

This Conference included an introductory phase and three blocks of talks by jurists, philosophers, anthropologists, and doctors of medicine, among other professional experts in the field of Bioethics. The opening and presentation was given by Dr. Enoch Albertí, dean of the UB Law Faculty, and Dr. María Casado, holder of the UNESCO Bioethics Chair, both of whom underscored the interest both of the Conference and of the theme chosen for this year’s act.

The main aim was to debate from different perspectives the concept of “human dignity”, which is present in practically all of the International Declarations dealing with Human Rights, as is the case of the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights (October 2005). However, in treating such a many-sided concept, presenting so many different possible approaches, facets, nuances, and focal points, an open debate was in order, especially at the time of taking decisions in the field of health and the application of the biotechnologies.

The International Conference of the University’s UNESCO Bioethics Chair, which is held annually, principally aims to promote the Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights as a joint task of the aforementioned UNESCO Chair at the UB and of the  UB Bioethics and Law Observatory (OBD: Observatori de Bioètica i Dret), located in the Barcelona Science Park.