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Conference on the bioethical aspects of dependence in old age

By 1 de December de 2004November 18th, 2020No Comments
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 01.12.2004

Conference on the bioethical aspects of dependence in old age

On 2nd December, the Observatory on Bioethics and Law () at the UB, located at the Parc Científic de Barcelona (PCB, Barcelona Science Park), organized a conference entitled . The conference, which was held in the "Saló de Graus" at the UB Faculty of Law (Av. Diagonal, 684), addressed the situation of the dependent elderly community in Catalonia, and analysed associated rights and responsibilities and the bioethical issues related to heath and social care for this sector of the population.

In recent months, diverse public and private sector agents have drawn attention to the problems faced by dependent elderly people. The UN has also participated in the diffusion of the most problematic aspects associated with population disablement and ageing. In addition, it has also developed programmes for promoting equality and full participation, which include specific measures for the employment market, health care sector, education system and welfare in general.

The conference, subsidised by the Agència de Gestió d’Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca (Management Agency for University Grants and Research), brought together experts from the academia, hospitals and public administration in two round tables which focused on a multidisciplinary debate on this subject. After, a representative from the Ombudsman Committee of Catalonia (síndic de Greuges de Catalunya), Rafael Ribó, presented a report on the dependence of the elderly in Catalonia. This report, published on 26th January 2004, recommends further in depth studies on the present predicament of this social group and proposes specific measures to protect this extremely vulnerable sector of the population.

Among the research lines followed by the Bioethics and Law Research Group at the OBD are questions related to public policies on ageing and the conflicts that arise, explained in the book “El Alzheimer: problemas éticos y jurídicos” (Alzheimer’s: ethical and juridical problems” (ed. Tirant lo Blanch, València, 2002). This book describes the work done in a research project financed by the Secretary of State for Education, Universities, Research and Development (project number: PB97-0987). In addition, the OBD Opinion Group has also published a booklet entitled “Report on Living Wills” (2001).