Professor Constantinos Phellas, Vice Rector for Faculty and Research at the University of Nicosia, has been appointed to serve on the UNESCO International Bioethics Committee (IBC). His appointment, for a four-year tenure (2018-2021) at the IBC, was made by Audrey Aroulay (France), the UNESCO Director-General.
It is the first time that a Cypriot has been selected to join the international committee, founded by the United Nations in 1993. The IBC primarily focuses on strengthening and promoting the connection between biological and technological applications with the social and ethical values governing society, in compliance with International Law and the laws of UNESCO member states.
The IBC also monitors current developments in Bioethics, i.e. the advances in Biology, Genetics and Technology, and their potential ethical and legal implications.
Professor Phellas is currently also the President of the National Bioethics Committee of Cyprus. He specialises in the sociology of health, having published widely in scientific journals on gender, sexuality and ethnic minorities, as well as on HIV/AIDS.
“As a member of UNESCO’s International Bioethics Committee, I will have the opportunity to contribute to the promotion and application of the principles of Bioethics, while at the same time highlighting the role of Cyprus as a credible and responsible partner on issues such as the rapid advancement of technology in the fields of Biology, Genetics and Medicine”, remarked Professor Phellas.