MEDICAL ETHICS ACTIVITIES AND PLANS IN IRAN AT A GLANCE

The new biomedical sciences and technologies have been associated with increasing ethical debates worldwide in particular in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Advances in genetic engineering, stem cell research, cloning and organ transplantation are some of the medical issues that have raised ethical concerns. Considering ever-increasing renewed interest in medical ethics in the country, great strides have been made in this field in recent decades. In this article, our aim is to present a brief review of current medical ethics activities including establishment of Medical Ethics Research Committees, Medical Ethics Research Center, compiling a strategic plan for medical ethics activities, and implementation of the general and specific National Codes of ethics in Biomedical Research. Reforming medical ethics education in medical universities is also stated. Some future plans are also pointed out.