Roles and functioning of the European Union National Ethics Councils (NECs): a cross-sectional study

In an increasingly globalised and technologically dynamic landscape, ethics councils and committees play a crucial role in navigating the complex ethical challenges posed by emerging technologies. This study examined the capacity and emerging approach of ethics councils and committees in the European Union (EU) to address those challenges by analysing their composition, functioning, financing, independence, and strategies for leveraging policy-relevance and uptake of their work (e.g., in the form of recommendations, advice, or opinions). We conducted a cross-sectional study targeting the EU National Ethics Councils (NECs) that have participated in the National Ethics Councils Forum (NEC Forum) meetings over the last 10 years. The survey aimed to encompass eight thematic categories for NECs, with further questions targeted at council members, staff, and representatives. Responses were received from the National Economic Councils (NECs) of 23 (85%) of the 27 EU countries. For some countries, more than one NEC responded to the survey. Findings revealed high heterogeneity in mandates and organizational procedures across EU NECs. Their independence is largely safeguarded by some legal act, and most of them operate without a formal obligation to consult governmental bodies before issuing opinions, and their positions generally cannot be revised by external entities. While most NECs are tasked with advising the government, parliaments, and public institutions, only a few NECs hold formal roles in legislative processes. Furthermore, some EU countries do not have an ethics body with an advisory mandate but rely on institutional structures for research ethics and research governance. Additionally, the study highlights persistent financial constraints and operational challenges of EU NECs, resulting in significant challenges to build critical levels of outreach and impact. This study sheds light on the institutional roles of ethics advisory bodies and related structures in the EU, their capacity to address the ethical dilemmas associated with technological advancements, and their role and contributions to relevant policy debates and decision-making. It further provides the background for promoting coordination, collaboration, and mutual learning among NECs in the EU, while also emphasizing the need for support of EU NECs to enhance their operational capacity and expertise, particularly in addressing ethical dilemmas associated with technological advancements as well as with new and emerging technologies.