The Federal Council appoints a Federal Ethics Committee on Non-human Biotechnology. It comprises ethicists from outside the government and other persons from a range of subject areas who have scientific or practical knowledge of ethics. Different ethical approaches must be represented in the Committee.
The Committee pursues and evaluates from an ethical point of view the developments and applications of biotechnology and issues statements on associated scientific and social issues from an ethical point of view.
It advises:
the Federal Council on enacting regulations;
federal and cantonal authorities on enforcement. In particular, it issues statements on authorisation applications or planned research of fundamental or exemplary significance; for this purpose it may view documents, request information and consult further experts.
It collaborates with other federal and cantonal committees concerned with issues of biotechnology.
It engages in public dialogue on ethical issues of biotechnology, and makes periodic reports to the Federal Council about its activities.