Nuffield Council on Bioethics (NCOB)

This week marks the next stage of our major public dialogue reviewing the 14-day rule for human embryo research, in partnership with @sciencewise.bsky.social and delivered by @ipsosintheuk.bsky.social, @nationalvoices.bsky.social and @theliminalspace.bsky.social.

Find out more here:🔗 bit.ly/4rFZZ4B

📢 Call for evidence to assist our ethical exploration of solar radiation modification (SRM).

We're seeking insights on incorporating the interests of non-human species, the environment & future generations into policy & decision making on emerging tech.

Closing 15 March.
➡️ bit.ly/CFE_SRM

Signals and sensemaking: A year of horizon scanning, futures and foresight - Nuffield Council on Bioethics Melissa Haynes Agoro, Horizon Scanning Coordinator at the Nuffield Council on Bioethics reflects on themes that have emerged in our work this year.

In our last blog of 2025, Melissa Haynes Agoro reflects on key themes that have emerged in our horizon scanning work this year. Read it here:🔗 bit.ly/4q8ts6u

We are delighted to announce that we have appointed five new Council members with a range of expertise.

@emmayhnell.bsky.social, Felicity Boardman, @julianhuppert.bsky.social, Rebecca Bennett and Suzanne Ost are joining us from this month.

Find out more here:🔗 bit.ly/3MMRAgo

The 14-day rule for human embryo research has been in place for over 30 years.

As scientific capabilities progress, and society changes, does it still reflect people's values & priorities?

As part of our ongoing review, we're pleased to share two background briefings.

➡️ bit.ly/science_ethi...

Four people sit together on a couch, having a conversation. One woman in the center is smiling and gesturing with her hand.

We are pleased to be working with @sciencewise.bsky.social @ipsosgroup.bsky.social & National Voices on a series of community conversations, held across the UK, exploring views on the 14-day rule for human embryo research.

Find out more: www.nuffieldbioethics.org/news-blog/co...

We are pleased to share that we are launching a new project that will focus on #Solar #Radiation #Management (SRM) and its ethical considerations.

Find out more here: ➡️ bit.ly/3VvVM5w

#makingethicsmatter #geoengineering

Just one week left to apply to join the NCOB as one of our new Council Members! 📢

For more information about the role and how to apply please see our website: lnkd.in/d8KkJ6Us

We look forward to hearing from you.

Briefing: Terminally Ill Adults (End of life) Bill, Second Reading, House of Lords – 12.09.25 - Nuffield Council on Bioethics This briefing outlines the key findings of our Citizens' Jury on assisted dying, and highlights where the Bill aligns and diverges from the results of the Jury and our surveys.

Tomorrow, the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill returns to the House of Lords for its second reading. Read our briefing, which outlines the key insights from our Citizen’s Jury and highlights where the Bill aligns and diverges from the Jury’s recommendations and findings:➡️ bit.ly/3Vb8Ugi

A woman stands in front of a purple background next to the Nuffield Council on Bioethics logo and a quote about a new partnership, attributed to Danielle Hamm, Director. ""I am excited about this partnership with the ISSCR as it is our first step towards exploring ways to enrich our horizon scan methodology to become more internationally informed. I look forward to seeing what we learn together."

We are delighted to announce a new partnership with @isscr.org exploring how to reflect ethical insights in a timeframed international horizon scan.

Read the announcement here: bit.ly/468W2vZ

📢 We are excited to share that we have appointed four new members with expertise in horizon scanning, foresight and futures to join our Horizon Scanning Advisory Group (HSAG).

Find out more here: ➡️ bit.ly/3HTa3WI

#makingethicsmatter #horizonscanning

It is encouraging to see funders come together to make this a priority. Increasing the participation of older adults in research will help ensure that future innovations reflect the needs of an ageing population & support people to flourish in later life.
Read our report: ➡️http://bit.ly/45Kd8QE

This follows recommendations we made in our report 'The future of ageing: ethical considerations for research and innovation' where we called on funders to embed diversity, values & the agency of older adults at the heart of research & innovation related to ageing. ➡️http://bit.ly/45IKHmh

We welcome this joint statement from NIHR to improve the inclusion of older people in research – an important commitment supported by more than 40 UK health funders and charities, including @nuffieldfoundation.org @ukri.org and @wellcometrust.bsky.social.

www.nihr.ac.uk/news/nihr-an...

We encourage applications from different sectors and backgrounds, and from people at any stage in their career.

To find out more about what is involved please visit our website and do get in touch with any questions or to arrange a chat

www.nuffieldbioethics.org/work-with-us/

We are delighted to welcome @sapnamarwaha.bsky.social as the new Independent Chair of our Membership Committee! We look forward to working with you, Sapna.

Sapna joins at an exciting time as we are currently looking to appoint up to 5 new Council members. www.nuffieldbioethics.org/work-with-us/

We are delighted to share that we have appointed an expert working group, chaired by Professor Emily Jackson from @lselaw.bsky.social, for our project assessing and advising on the ethical and regulatory issues raised by research using #neural #organoids.

Find out more here:➡️🔗 bit.ly/4ljMO5G

We are pleased to announce that we are working with
@ipsosintheuk.bsky.social to deliver a large-scale public dialogue as part of our project reviewing the 14-day rule for human #embryo #research.

Find out more in our new blog: ➡️🔗 bit.ly/47tBz7s

#publicengagement #makingethicsmatter

📣 Opportunity to work with us!

Could you carry out a comparative mapping exercise on the governance of #neural #organoids and similar models? If so, get in touch!

Find out more here : ➡️🔗https://bit.ly/4lmIxyg

#makingethicsmatter #InvitationToTender

We're #recruiting! 📢

We are looking for new Council members across a range of disciplines and sectors to contribute to the NCOB’s work.

Find out more here:🔗 bit.ly/44Xz5g7

Applications close on Friday 19 September⏱️

#makingethicsmatter

Strategic Review | About | Nuffield Foundation In uncertain times, the Nuffield Foundation's strategic review renews our commitment to prosperity, inclusiveness, and fairness and a strategy focused on the complex challenges shaping lives in the UK today.

Can your research move us toward a fairer, more inclusive and prosperous society? Explore our priority themes, and learn more about our Strategic Fund 👇

Read our Strategic Review: www.nuffieldfoundation.org/about/strate...

𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬! 𝐖𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 £𝟏𝟓𝟎𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐊’𝐬 𝐛𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰

In response to global and domestic pressures, our 5 focus questions prioritise prosperity, inclusion and fairness as we renew our aim to improve lives through research & innovation👇🧵

In vitro gametogenesis (IVG) research is moving at pace, raising ethical questions that need proactive consideration.

In a joint report with The Future of Human Reproduction, we identify key ethical & policy considerations to inform any future regulation of lab-grown eggs and sperm.

bit.ly/40CcJhE

Novel techniques for the prevention of mitochondrial DNA disorders: an ethical review - Nuffield Council on Bioethics This report examines the ethical issues raised by new techniques that aim to prevent the transmission of maternally-inherited mitochondrial DNA disorders.

Read our ethical review here: www.nuffieldbioethics.org/publication/...

Wonderful to see news that babies born as a result of innovative mitochondrial DNA techniques are free from hereditary disease: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Our 2012 ethical review has been instrumental in creating regulation for this treatment to reach the clinic and change lives for the better.

As part of our mission to #makeethicsmatter, we use horizon scanning & foresight methods to anticipate where developments in #biomedicine & #health have the potential to impact society.

Have a look at our Horizon Scan which displays these topics of interest within time frames: bit.ly/NCOBHS2024.

Life as we know it? - Nuffield Council on Bioethics Michael J. Reiss, member of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, Professor of Science Education at UCL and a Priest in the Church of England, reflects on research that aims to develop the tools needed t...

Last week saw the widely reported announcement of SynHG – a major new research project exploring the synthesis of human genomes.

What could this mean for 'Life as we know it'? 💭

Our Council Member Michael Reiss shares thoughts in this new blog ➡️ bit.ly/Life-as-we-k...

#ethics #genetics #synHG

Should this lab-grown burger really be served in restaurants? Lab-grown beef, chicken and even quail are served in restaurants in some countries around the world - and now some cultivated meats could soon be sold in the UK too

Nice to see this article get into some ethical issues regarding cultured meat: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Our 2020 ethics briefing noted increasing no.s of people willing to try plant-based / cultured meat, amidst calls for transparent labelling & regulatory preparedness.
See: ➡️ bit.ly/44gK4zD

Image of an expert panel at a Royal Society event to discuss their new report on disability technology. A screen behind them shows the title and subtitle of the report.

Great to be at the @royalsociety.org for the launch of their new report on disability technology. Many great speakers, and lots to be learned about making sure experiences of disability are centralised in design and implementation of assistive tech #disabilitytech

The Citizens Jury: A group of adults sit in a classroom-style setting, some reading papers while others interact. A woman at the front collects a vote from a seated man. Flipcharts with notes are visible in the background.

MPs vote today on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill.

Our Citizens’ Jury on assisted dying shone a light on people’s priorities, whether the law changes or not.

We hope those voting today find our evidence & insights on UK public views on assisted dying helpful.

bit.ly/assisted-dyi...