Fédération Internationale des

Pharmaciens Catholiques (FIPC)

Fédération Internationale des

Pharmaciens Catholiques (FIPC)

Table of Contents

3Introduction

3Presentation of the Cameroon Bioethics Society: CBS

5I- Cameroon Bioethics Society : Structures and Men

5I-1 Structures of the CBS

5Board of Directors

6The Scientific Committee

6CERB : Public Health and Bioethics Research Centre

6Centre d’Etude et de Recherche en santé publique et en Bioéthique

11I-2 Human Resources of the CBS

11Founders and Pioneers

12The Board of Directors of CBS of 07 May 2008

13Other Leaders of the Structures of the CBS

14Presentation of the CERB current Task Force

16II- Sponsorship, Support and Partnership

18III- The Achievements of CBS

18III-1.Scientific Meetings

19III-1-1 :J.I.B. 94

19Title : Scientific Symposium

19With the theme : « Traditional Medicine, Health Community and Medicine : Developments and Solidarity »

21III-1-2JIB 1995

23III-1-3JIB February 1996

24III-1-4JIB September 1996

25III-1-5 JIB February 1997

36III-1-6JIB March 1998

42III-I-7JIB 1999

44III-1-8JIB 2001

49III-1-9The activities of the CBS focused on the CERB : Public health and Bioethics Research Centre

50III-1-9-1 13th World Day of the Sick

50Workshop on Bioethics

50Under the supervision of His Excellency Professor

50Jacques Fame  Ndongo, Minister of Higher Eduction

50Summary of Work

51III-1-9-2 Reflection on Human cloning. Catholic University of Central Africa (UCAC), Campus Nkolbisson, Yaounde, March 24, 2004

52III-1-9-3 Celebration of the 10th anniversary of the promulgation of the post synodal Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in Africa .

52Summary of the detailed study of the SECAM Operational Plan (SOP)

55III-I-10The Pan African Bioethics Congress : COPAB

55Yaounde, May28-30, 2008

58Programme of the 1st Pan African Bioethics Congress (COPAB)

58Yaounde, Cameroon, 28-30 May 2008

58Hemicycle of the National Assembly of Cameroon

63Inaugural Speech

63Professor Honorat AGUESSY, President of the World Council of Pan-AFricanism, Institute for Development and Endogeneous Exchanges, Ouidah, Bénin

68Governance and Human Rights in achieving the MDGs in Africa

68By Alain Didier OLINGA, Lecturer

68IRIC/ University of Yaounde II

74Statement of the Yaounde First Pan African Bioethics Congress for achieving the Millennium Development Goals

74Text proposed by the Working Group of Social Sciences of COPAB.

74Rapporteur: Pr Laurent Zang, Head of Department of Political Science at the IRIC, University of Yaounde II

751st Pan African Bioethics Congress (COPAB)

75Draft of the Yaounde Declaration of 30 May 2008

75Recommandations to address Researchers in the field of Biomedical Research Involving Human Sugjects in Africa.

75Text proposed by the Working Group of Biomedical Sciences of COPAB

75Coordination : Prof. Jean Louis Essame Oyono, Director IMPM, MINRESI

80Recommandations du 1er Congrès Pan Africain de Bioéthique

82III-2 Texte of a political and scientific nature

83Documentation on the Establishment of National Bioethics Committee

83Documentation on Cloning

84Evaluation of Health Policy in Africa

84A Study by the CERB :Public Health and Bioethics Research Centre

84Under the Direction of Pr. Pierre EFFA

90III- 3 The collaboration with the Pan African Institutions

91Resolution of the OAU on Bioethics an the Development ofAfrica

94III-4Initiation and Promotion of Bioethics and Public Health Structures

95the CERBAC : Committee on Ethics and Bioethics Research in Central African.

95PABIN :

96Association « Forum on Ethics and Bioethics for Central and West Africa »

97COPAS : Pan African Congress for Health Actors

101The Pan African Bioethics Congress : COPAB

10311.1General objective:

112III-5 Development of the African Conception of Bioethics

119III- 6 Training Session of the CBS

123III-7 The Academic Session of the Scientific Committee of the CBS

124IV- financial Report

131V- PROSPECTS

135VI- CONCLUSION

Introduction

Introduction

The interest of Africa for Bioethics obviously in the light of the more or less recent past of this Continent. For memory, no other continent has experienced all forms of contempt, of depravity, objectification of man and trivialization of life. Slavery, colonization, apartheid, dictatorship, the misery and carnage of HIV / AIDS will remain in our memories to remind us of this.

Yet Africa has not always been this Continent of death it is currently with mortality highest rates in the world and the shortest life expectancy.

Our Continent was once the symbol and source of life as a cradle of humanity and civilization, a land of welcome, the warmest hospitality. It is therefore in line with the reconquest of our fundamental values, the refusal of the resignation and irresponsibility in addressing the issues appealing humanity as a whole, that takes place the initiative of the Cameroon Bioethics Society (CBS ), Pioneer and visionary in its field in Africa.

Presentation of the Cameroon Bioethics Society: CBS

The CBS is a non-governmental organization oriented pan-African and international Defence and Protection of Life. Because Bioethics was born in a scientist framework linked to health and experimentation, the first to be educated in our country and Africa were the Christians Pharmacists, through the Association of Catholic Pharmacists of Cameroon (APCC), Led by its President, Dr. Pierre Effa. He and many members of the APCC in 1995 founded the “Cameroon Bioethics Society” (CBS), supported by eminent men such as: Pharmacist Ekotto Mengatta, Physicians Rene Essomba, Simon Atangana, Pierre Sende, Daniel Lantum, Moraliste Jean Mbarga and Historian and Philosopher Engelbert Mveng.

In the light of its first members, one can say that CBS is the result of the meeting of three currents. The first being that of the concerns of health professionals active in the international organizations movement and concerned with Africa to promote access to care and medications.

The project aims ultimately to work towards an integrated health system that could adapt to changes in epidemiological and demographic transitions. To do this, it is essential to ensure the development of local research capacity, quality of care and integration into a regional and international network.

This group led by Pierre Effa, enjoyed the privilege of the intellectual and professional leadership of Jean Bernard, the very first President in the World of a National Advisory Committee for Life Sciences and Health.

The second group, composed of thinkers like Engelbert Mveng, one of the artisans of the Dakar Festival of Arts and Negros Cultures and Lagos Festival, or Jean Marc Ela, to mention only these two, was that of the African Renaissance and advocated reconciliation of Africa with its history since the Negro Pharaonic civilizations of antiquity. Their basic concern was the design, development and promotion of the African perception of bioethics.

The third group, finally, was the group of doctors from the Ministry of Health of Cameroon, led by Pierre Sende, Victor Anomah Ngu and Daniel Lantum. That current, heavily influenced by the Anglo-Saxon culture, especially advocated the development and implementation of recommendations on international standards of health research in the continent.

To the synergy of this school of thought, joined massively men of all sectors of Cameroon national life, including particularly moral, traditional, political and religious Authorities such as His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim Mbombo Njoya, King of the Bamoun, His Eminence Cardinal Christian Tumi, Archbishop of Douala, Reverend Aaron Tolen, President for Africa of the World Council of Churches, Mufty General of Cameroon, His Eminence Cheickh Pekassa Sin Mounir Ibrahim and the Honourable Yaya Moussa, former Speaker of Parliament Cameroon.

Significantly, it is important to mention that the presence of these personalities was critical for the African Summit on Bioethics, which led to the "Resolution of the OAU on Bioethics and the Development of Africa" 1996, adopted by the Conference of Heads of State and Government of Africa, at the initiative of CBS, become a reality.

In addition, the accession of African cultural universe to the fundamental value of the sacredness of life, has been without doubt for many in Africa to the birth of this movement to defend life, started from reflection, of research and debate on bioethics.

The problems of health and life from conception until death and all other things that have some negative impact on human life, CBS makes them the subject of his scientific work, its laws proposals and its outreach activity on the consequences of scientific and technological shifts.

Cameroon Bioethics Society : Structures and Men

I- Cameroon Bioethics Society : Structures and Men

The CBS is a non-governmental organization governed by Law No. 90/053 of 19 December 1990 relating to freedom of association, in the Republic of Cameroon and by its own statutes.

The CBS is registered under the references of Receipt Declaration No.

00036/JO6/BAPP Association of 13/02/1995

Its Headquarters is set in Yaounde. It can be transferred to another place by decision of the General Assembly.

Its activities are directed towards the study and discussion, as part of a scientific spirit, openness, tolerance and consensus-building, issues concerning respect for life, protecting the life from conception until death, and all the problems that affect the fate of man.

The CBS is apolitical and not covered by any religious and / or ideological group. To this effect. It promotes the spirit of openness among people of different beliefs. It is part of the awakening of consciousness to the issues of bioethics, and the CBS research and propose solutions consistent with African culture and respect for human rights.

Its purpose is:

· Promote information and debates on ethics and morality of life and health

· Organize meetings of scientific and cultural issues on Bioethics.

The capacity of the CBS are:

· Promotion of research and teaching in the multidisciplinary field of bioethics

· Production, publication of knowledge about the changing paradigms and research on Bioethics

For this, CBS may grant assistance to any academic, scientific, cultural, professional, religious, social activity.

The CBS, for its operation relies on scientifically competent men and effective structures including: the Board of Directors, the Scientific Committee and the Centre for Study and Research on Public Health and Bioethics (CERB).

I-1 Structures of the CBS

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is the governing and management body of CBS.

It includes six (06) members and at least and not more than twenty (20) members, elected for three (03) years renewable.

The Board is composed of elected members and members of law: the elected members are appointed by the General Assembly, members of law, the number not more than two (02) are authorized representatives of the Pan-African Bioethics Society.

In the Board of Directors, are the Permanent Council, the Executive Bureau, the Office of the Scientific Committee.

The Board meets twice a year, convened by the President or three members of the Permanent Council.

Decisions are taken by qualified majority of members present or represented.

In the event of vacancy, the Board tentatively provides for the replacement of its members. It is carried to their final replacement at the first General Assembly meeting. The subtitutes are mandated to complete the current one.

The Scientific Committee

The Scientific Committee is an Assembly of Men of science and culture, which meets to consider the various aspects of Bioethics.

The objectives of the Scientific Committee are:

· Defence of Life and Human Rights in all aspects

· Promoting scientific research in the field of Bioethics

· Education and popularization of bioethical principles

· Cooperation with other similar organizations in Africa and in the rest of the World

Admission to the Scientific Committee is a co-option. The staff of the Scientific Committee are limited

The updating of the list of Scientific Committee Members takes place every three (3) years, including through the renewal of the Board of Directors.

The Scientific Committee Members are required to submit a reference work per year: communication, conferences, publications, etc….

The outcome of the Scientific Committee are the exclusive property of CBS, which alone is empowered to make available to any person for a judicious use.

CERB : Public Health and Bioethics Research Centre

Centre d’Etude et de Recherche en santé publique et en Bioéthique

I- GENERAL INFORMATION

I 1- Historical account

The idea of CERB was launched in 1995, during the earliest african and International Bioethics Days (JIB), held in Yaounde, on the invitation of the Cameroon Bioethics Society: CBS.

The CERB was created on a proposal of the Scientific Committee of the CBS, by a

resolution of the Board of Directors of CBS, met in regular session on October 15, 1996 in Yaounde

The centre should include five units namely:

· Conference Unit

· Research Unit

· Training Unit

· Communication Unit

· Documentation Unit

So far, only Conference Unit is functional through the regular holding of JIB: YaoundeInternational and african Biethics Days.

In order to launch the activities of other units, CBS had a great need of high-level specialists working in close liaison with each other (professional researchers, university teachers and doctoral students).

Only the International and African Bioethics Days, January 2001, held in Yaounde, have enabled him to form this cohesive body of experts.

Among the resolutions of the International and African Bioethics Days, the first point was also the effective launching of the CERB co-ordinated and structured activities.

I-2 Missions of CERB

I-2-1 The missions prescribed by CERB are the following:

· promote specialized studies in the field of Public Health and Human Rights

· promote continuous training of health professionals and members of Ethics Committees

· promote high-quality scientific information and the provision of scientific documentation of high quality

· generate interest in bioethics within the scientific community in Africa

· promote the development of ethics and bioethics research in Africa with particular emphasis on African perception of bioethics

· organize and increase scientific capacities, multidimensional ethics review and public health in Africa

· popularize knowledge and questions in public health and bioethics in Africa in order to develop national ethics capacity at the continental level and encouraging the emergence of an ethics civil society

· promote international exchanges particularly in the context of intercultural dialogue

· circulate among scientists, health professionals, governments, economic operators and the entire society, the respect for fundamental and irreducible ideas of freedom, dignity and integrity of man and society in the one hand , and on the other hand, respect ideas of the sacredness of life, preservation of health and life, and the balanced management of nature and biodiversity.

I-2-2 At the pan-African level, the CERB is called upon to serve as a crucible for the activities of the Permanent Scientific Secretariat

The programme of action of the Cameroon Bioethics Society : CBS provides the establishment of the Pan African Association of Bioethics. This entity is conceived as a centre of leadership and coordination of ethics activities for Africa.

It is expected that this entity negotiates a headquarters agreement with each African state and with the countries hosting the headquarters of international development partners of Africa.

The Pan African Association of Bioethics is expected to implemente in the framework of this agreement, a Permanent Scientific Secretariat whose mission would, inter alia, to:

· Evaluation of the ethical clearance

· Promotion of international standards

· Updating a database

particularly in connection with the programmes of the Millennium Development Goals for Africa's Development.

The CERB missions will be progressively accomplished as its operational units will be operating.

After the Conference Unit, it involves putting in place the Documentation Centre, the Centre for Communication, the Centre for Training and the Research Unit.

II- THE RESEARCH UNIT

II.1- The organisation

The research unit is the heart of CERB as it is shown in the outline below:

The unit is composed of nine departments. which are:

· Department of African philosophy, politics and moral philosophy

· Department of Social Sciences and International Relations

· Department of Medical and pharmaceutical Sciences and biomedical ethics review

· Department of science and technology choices

· Department of research on malaria, HIV / AIDS and tuberculosis

· Department of research on African traditional medicines

· Department of research on non-communicable diseases

· Department of Research on Smoking and Addiction

· Water Department of Water, Health and Peace

1. Department African phylosophy, politics and moral philosophy

This department is the theoretical crucible of the CERB. Supported by several years of foreign and African ethics reflexion, it provides to the other departments the fundamental ethics orientations able to enrich this heritage of universal wisdom and to appreciate from the ethics viewpoint, the statement and consulting action of CERB or any other institution dealing with foreign and African ethics.

2. Department of social sciences and international relations

Sustained by the proper understanding of mankind and society as well as that of international relations which are available at the CERB, this department is the milieu for research strategics, equity marks and social models that the CERB will propose. It provides to the center the expertise of a civil and legal laboratory.

3. Department of medical and pharmaceutical sciences and biomedical ethics evaluation and health policies

The department works in mastering the knowledge in the human vital mechanisms concerns, through the biomedical sciences and technics. More over, it leads the whole deontological and moral studies dealing with pharmaceutical and biomedical experimentation and in general, whith modern and traditional practices. It also devotes itself to the historic and prospective analysis of the public health models on the continent.

4. Department of sciences and technological choices

The human and environment protection against dangers connected to the un-humanist development of science and technology is at the center of daily work and objectives of this department. Based on these preoccupations, the Center will have the scientific tools necessary to crop up its research and to guide its choices concerning ecology, esthetics, relationships between technics and life experience.

The Department is responsible for coordinating activities related to the issue of Seal of Quality and Environmental or Ethics Excellence.

5. Department of research on Malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis

Malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis being the main diseases responsible for the high rate of mortality in our countries, this department objectives will be to contribute in finding the best solutions helping to reduce or to stop the spreading of these illnesses.

This research will have a component that will focus on the pathology and another that will focus on sociological and ethical problems related to the pathology.

6. Department of Research on African traditional medicines

The medicine is defined as the study of knowledge about the disease to organize the fight against the disease.

The mode of action of African traditional medicine is to provide the individual and the society to which it belongs, the necessary strengths to return and the preservation of health.

The design of the composed human according to black African cultures, the often tumultuous coexistence between hospitals medicine and African traditional medicines, call Health Research for a profound interest in the study of knowledge on the fight against the disease and the fight for the preservation of health, knowledge accumulated through millennia of African traditions, and by contemporary practices of operators.

The Department strives to contribute to ask questions and if possible to find answers to questions relating thereto.

7. Department of research on non-communicable diseases

These are often the long-term illnesses or diseases so-called society.

The CERB opens this department on the basis of a double contact:

· The prevalence of diseases such as cancer, hypertension, diabetes rose sharply in African populations. According to serious projections, these diseases in the future will kill more than communicable diseases

· Care of these conditions has not been integrated implicitly in the Millennium Development Goals.

The research of this Department will have a component which will focus on pathology and another on sociological and ethical problems related to the pathology.

8. Department of Research on Smoking and Addiction

WHO and the international community as a whole have already taken the measure of the devastation caused to health and society by smoking.

It is important to work to control the causes and consequences on the individual and society of this contemporary phenomenon.

The CERB will contribute to this point of view, especially as regards scientific and ethical approach to improving results in Africa of the International Convention on the fight against smoking.

9. Department of Water, Health and Peace

The Department's mission is to organize a forward-thinking to integrate water, land use planning, quality of life and the populations live together in a framework of sustainable development. The Department of Water, Health and Peace promotes the well-being and peace by promoting the heritage of all mankind that is water, through an exchange of information and the organization of thematic considerations.

The Department must eventually allow in Africa, effective decision-making in the sustainable management of water and the environment in the management and prevention of diseases and disasters of water.

II.2 The means

The CERB has currently in Cameroon a multidisciplinary team of specialists able to start its research activities: philosophers, psychologists, anthropologists, sociologists, biochemists, economists, lawyers, political scientists and specialists of the natural sciences, engineering, Vets, medical doctors, pharmacists.

With regard to the very functioning of the structure, some of its human resources promptly provide a more or less coordination and guidance and ensure that services secretarial and administrative play their respective roles.

III – The Training Centre

It is to him that the burden of organizing at all levels, the training and retraining of all actors in the field of bioethics in Africa. It is question, in a concrete way, to promote and to viable at the executives level on the one hand, specialized studies in the fields of public health, human rights and the environment, and on the other hand, at professionals level of all trades bioethics field, not to mention members of the Ethics Committees, the establishment of a training system to ensure continuous updating of knowledge of all stakeholders, including through distance learning via the Internet.

IV - The Documentation Centre

The Documentation Centre will serve as a hub to the various operations of the Research Centre, Training and passing through Communication. It will be the main logistical support for all activities of the Research Center. Its mission is to collect, produce and manage all the information necessary to operate the CERB. It will among others organize scientific surveys, opinion polls on issues covering the field of Bioethics and keep reliable statistics.

V - The Communication Centre

This will involve using the most modern communication to promote and popularize knowledge and current issues of public health and bioethics appealing all Africans.

The Communication Centre, a showcase of CERB's mission is vital to initiate, organize and sustain the intercultural and social debate in ethics and bioethics, in order to develop the national ethics capacity at the continental level and promote a hence the emergence of a civil society loving fundamental ideas of freedom, dignity and integrity of man, a balanced management of nature and the preservation of biodiversity.

In this perspective, the Communication Centre began setting up a Website and a Forum on the Internet in order to make permanent, through a daily news organization and daily exchanges, the debate among all Major players in the field of ethics and bioethics on the World Wide Web.

VI – Conference Unit

It has been so far, the unit most active in CERB and the first to be truly operational. It is in large part, responsible for the success of famous JIB of Yaounde and the many other meetings at regional or African level, she helped organize, the case of COPAS in Congo in December 2007. It represents a well-oiled and seasoned system in the promotion, organization, management and sustainability of scientific meetings of international concern.

VII – Administration

The Board of CERB ensures its administration under the aegis of the Board of CBS.

The Board of CERB includes:

· the President, the Vice President and the Secretary General of the CBS

· the President, the Vice Presidents and the Permanent Secretary of the Scientific Committee of the CBS

· the Secretary-General for the Coordination of ethics committees for health research

The CERB is managed by an Executive Directorate, which includes:

· the Director of CERB

· the Secretary General of CERB

· the Administrative Secretary and his Deputy

· theTreasurer

· the Heads of Technical Unit

· the Heads of Department Units assisted the Scientific Secretariat. The Scientific Secretariat is the cell responsible for coordination of projects.

The CERB will be placed, where appropriate, under the sponsorship of COPAB (Pan-African Bioethics Congress), on the basis of a Memorandum of collaboration. The CERB will seek in due course a protocol sponsorship and partnership with the Pan African Conference of National Ethics.

The Director of CERB is responsible for:

· Institutional promotion with technical and financial partners

· Coordination of activities of its Heads of Units through meetings and reports on activities

· Development, with the agreement of CERB, of the strategic plan of CERB, in consultation with its Heads of Units.

I-2 Human Resources of the CBS

Founders and Pioneers

First Founders:

Cameroon:

1. Dr Pierre Effa (Pharmacist), President for Africa of the IFPC: International Federation of Catholic Pharmacists

2. Regretté Rev. Father Engelbert Mveng (Historian and philosopher), Consultant of the Cameroon Catholic Pharmacists

France:

1. Professor Jean Bernard (Doctor), President of the French Academy

2. Professor Jean Dreano (Pharmacist), Chairman of the National Academy of Pharmacy, Honorary President of the ITPF

3. Regretté Dr. Jacques Moulin (Doctor), President of the World Medical Association

4. Dr Charles Fournier (Pharmacist), President of PSAC: French Association of Catholic Pharmacists, Treasurer of the CBS

5. Dr. Daniele Guillat-Demonchy, Director of Education on Bioethics and Human

Rights, René Descartes University, Paris V

Belgium: 1. Prof. Alain Lejeune (Pharmacist), Chairman of the Red Cross of Belgium, member of the Pontifical Academy for Life

United Kingdom

1. Pr Sev.S. Fluss (Legal), Director of the Health Legislation - WHO - Geneva.

Members of the first Committee or

Permanent Council of Presidents:

· Professor Pierre Effa, Chairman of the Board of Directors

· Rev. Prof. Engelbert Mveng (+), and Professor Jean Bernard (+), Chairman of the Scientific Committee

· Dr. Georges Biname, Secretary General of the Federal Parliament of Belgium

· His Majesty Ibrahim Mbombo Njoya, King of the Bamoun (Islam)

· Pr Isabelle Tokpanou, former Minister (Women)

· Dr. Aaron Tolen (+), Chairman of the Ecumenical Council of Protestant Churches

· His Eminence Cardinal Christian Tumi, Archbishop of Douala

· Pr Titus Edzoa, Minister of Scientific Research and Professor Rene Essomba (+), President of the National Order of Doctors of Cameroon

Members of the first Scientific Committee of the CBS:

· President: Rev. Prof. Engelbert Mveng then Pr Jean Bernard (+) (France)

· Vice President: Rev. Professor Jean Samuel Zoe Obiang (Cameroon)

· Vice Chairmen Prof. Alain Lejeune (Belgium), Prof. Sev. S. Fluss (United Kingdom)

· Permanent Secretary Rev. Father Jean Mbarga (Cameroon), Rector Grand Seminar Nkolbisson (Yaounde)

· The very first Treasurer: Dr. Charles Fournier (France), President PSAC, Paris

· Director of the Centre d'Etude, research and documentation of the CBS: CERB Pr Carmen Sprecht Rauch (France), Faculty of Medicine of Marseilles (France)

· Secretary General of CERB Pr Etame Ewane (+) (Cameroon)

· Secretary General of the Network of Ethics Committees of CBS, Dr Pierre Sende (Cameroon)

The Board of Directors of CBS of 07 May 2008

Member of the Permanent Council

· His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim Mbombo Njoya (Cameroon), Traditional Authority and Muslim Faith (Substitute Muslim Faith: His Eminence Cheickh Pekassa Sin Mounir Ibrahim, Deputy Traditional Authority: His Majesty Pr Guy Tsala Ndzomo, President of the Association of Traditional Chiefs of the Central Province, Cameroon)

· His Eminence Cardinal Christian Tumi (Cameroon), Christian Catholic Faith (Alternate: S. E. Bishop Jean Mbarga)

· Rev. Dr Simon Bolivar Njami Wanmi (Cameroon) Protestant Christian Faith (Alternate: Rev. Pasteur Jean Samuel Zoe Obiang)

· Professor Pierre Effa (Cameroon), Chairman of the CBS

· The World Medical: Dr Simon Atangana

· The World Women's: Senior Marie Louise Mbida

· The President of the Scientific Committee: + Pr Jean Bernard (France)

· The Delegate for Cooperation Internationale: Dr. Georges Biname (Belgium)

The Office of the Scientific Committee:

· President: Dr. Jean Bernard (+) (France)

· Vice Chairmen: Prof. Alain Lejeune (Belgium)

· Permanent Secretary: Dr Jean Zambe (Cameroon)

· Deputy Permanent Secretary:

The Executive Bureau:

· Chairman: Professor Pierre Effa (Cameroon), Pharmacist, Douala

· Vice President: SE Cheickh Pekassa sin Mounir Ibrahim (Cameroon), Imam, Yaounde

· General Secretary: Mr. Samson Dinba (Cameroon), Judge, Mbalmayo

· Deputy Secretary General: Mr. Jean Vincent Tchienehom (Cameroon), Journalist

· Treasurer General: Mrs Roselyne Mpoudi Ngole (Cameroon), Engineer, Douala

· Assistant Treasurer:

Other Leaders of the Structures of the CBS

  The Board of Directors of CERB

· President: President of CBS: Professor Pierre Effa

Executive Directorate Research Center (CERB):

· Director of CERB:

· General Secretary: Mr. Theodore Moukounè Elombè (Cameroon), Professor of Philosophy, Douala

· Administrative Secretary of CERB: Ms. Charlotte Ngongang (Cameroon), Engineer, Douala

· Administrative Assistant Secretary: Miss Flora Betty Effa Alima (Cameroon), Manager, Douala

Secretary General of the Network of Ethics Committees of Cameroon (see CERBAC Network): Pr Assumpta Lucienne Bella (Cameroon), Professor of Medicine, Yaounde.

External Auditors:

Master Yves Emmanuel Sende (Cameroon), Lawyer, Douala.

Done in Yaounde, Mvolyé, 07 May 2008. The Chairman of the Board of Directors

Prof. Pierre Effa

Presentation of the CERB current Task Force

1 - General Coordination:

Professor Pierre Effa

Pharmacist, Professor of Public Health and Bioethics, President of the CERB and CBS,

Executive Secretary of the Pan African Congress for Health Actors (COPAS),

Executive Secretary of the Pan African Bioethics Congress (COPAB)

2 - Secretariat Scientifique (Cell of concertation of project managers):

Economic Analysis and Investigations:

· Mr. Jacques Bakolon, Professor of Business of Development at the Pan

· African Institute for Development, University of Douala

· M. Joseph Moukwelle, Professor of Economics at the Pan African Institute for Development, University of Douala

· Mr. William M. Nzhié Ntounga, Sociologist, Yaounde

· Dr. Nicolas Kameni Djiele, Veterinarian, CEO LCX Pharma, Douala

· Dr. Francis Nana Djomou, CEO, Biopharma Laboratories, Douala

Historical situation analysis:

· Mr. Joseph Keutcheu, Professor of History

· Mr. Jules Ambroise Noupoudem, Professor of History

· Abbe Joseph Ekassi, Professor of History of the Church, Yaounde

African philosophy Analysis, moral and politics philosophy:

· Mr. Jean Luc Evina Abomo, Professor of Philosophy

· Mr. Jean Maurice Emmanuel Noah, Professor of Philosophy

· Mr. Noel Nathanael Owono Zambo, Professor of Philosophy

· Mr. Dominique Yamb Ntimba, PhD in Philosophy

· Mr. Theodore M. Moukounè Elombè, PhD in Philosophy

· Mr. Obam Soua, PhD in Philosophy

Legal Documentation and Ethics Analyses of Human Rights:

· Mr. Samson Dinba, Judge

· Dr Hyacinthe Fouda, Legal, Inspector General, Min. Economy, Planning and Land Use Planning, Yaounde

· Senior Victor Diboma II, Lawyer

· Mr. Etienne Patrice Théophile Ndongue Edimo, Judge

· Mrs Leonie Véronique Nga, the Treasury Inspector, Min. Finance, Yaounde

· Mr. Paul Fansi, PhD, University of Yaounde II

· Master Yves Emmanuel Sende, Lawyer, Douala

Non communicable diseases

· Dr. Barbara. Bouelet-Abeng, Cardiologist, Medical Advisor, Hôp. Laquintinie, Dla

· Dr Virginie Longang Tchatchouang, Resident in Public Health, Univ. Yaounde

· Dr Nnanga Nga, Pharmacist, Higher Institute of Medical Technology (ISTM), Yaounde

African traditional medicines

· Mr. Paul M. Abouna, PhD student in anthropology, University of Yaounde I

· Mr. David Ngunkeng, traditional healer

Smoking

· Dr Dipoko Diboti, Director, Health Promotion, Minsanté, Ydé

· Mr. Jean Bosco Emok, Sanitary Engineer, ISTM, Yaounde

· Dr. Helena Valérie Ntone-Ngono, Resident in biology, Faculty of Medicine, Ydé

HIV / AIDS, Malaria, TB

· Professor Pierre Effa, Pharmacist

· Rev. Jean Rene Awoumou, Pasteur EPC Chairman Christian Centre Development, Yaounde

· Dr Jean Otele Mbede, Biologist, Director, Higher Institute of Medical Technology, Yaounde

· Mr. Jean Marie Thomas Ningouloubel, President Founder Higher Institute of Medical Technology, Yaounde

· Dr. Serge Tchouembou, Clinique of Kumasi, Douala

· Dr. Pierre Claver Atangana Tsoungui, District Hospital, Metet, Ebolowa

Continuous training of health professionals and members of Ethics Committees

· Prof. Lucienne Asumpta Bella, Director Fight against the disease, Public Health Ministry, Ydé

· Dr. Barbara Bouelet-Abeng, Cardiologist, Medical Advisor, Laquintinie Hospital, Douala

· Mrs. Martine Atangana Ondobo, Professor of Sciences Nat., Ecole Normale Supérieure, Ydé

· Mr. Dieudonné Enonguene Messumbe, Trainer in clinical trials

Communication and Documentation

· Mr. Prosper Atangana Fouda, Journalist and Documentaliste

· Mrs. Charlotte Ngongang, Telecommunications Engineer, Douala

· Mrs Roselyne Mpoudi Ngole, Industrial Engineer, Douala

· Mr. Cyrille Wilfried Meyomesse, Computer, Douala

Translation

· Mr. Gaëtan Kombolo Metomo, Professor of English

· Mrs. Madeleine Sarah Tiki Koum, a member of the Central Committee of the WCC (Geneva)

· Mr. Charles M. Esseme, Teacher of English

Sponsorship, Support and Partnership

II- Sponsorship, Support and Partnership

The relevance of the issues and objectives of the CBS, seriousness and responsibility of its leaders, have allowed this NGO since its inception in 1995, to benefit support in all its multifaceted initiatives, both national, African and internationally.

At the national level, we mention first of all the support and sponsorship of leading figures as the President of the Republic of Cameroon, the President of the National Assembly of Cameroon and the Ministers of the Departments concerned by the Bioethics.

We then talk of the support of moral, religious and traditional authorities as the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon, FEMEC Federation of Protestant Churches and Missions of Cameroon

(current CEPCA: Council of Protestant Churches of Cameroon), the Conference of Imams and the ulema of Cameroon, the Association of Traditional Leaders of the Centre.

We will finish by the support and collaboration of scientific institutions and authorities, including public and private universities of Cameroon and the Teachers category masterly and professors who

are part of the Scientific Committee of the CBS, or collaborate in its research .

At the African level, we emphasize first of all the support of pan-African institutions: the OAU and now the AU and the Pan African Parliament. The support of Heads of State and Government was crucial to give major pan-African activities of the CBS.

This is especially thanks to some of them that CBS could either initiate or organize scientific meetings outside of Cameroon.

At this level, special mention should be made on the support and moral support that brought Nelson Mandela to CBS during his presidential term and even after. We do not forget the contribution of eminent scholars and thinkers from Africa who are heavily in scientific credibility enjoyed by the CBS throughout the World.

On the international level, CBS has received for its activities the collaboration of the most prestigious international agencies as UNESCO, WHO, the IPU, UNAIDS to mention only a few. We then highlight the support of inter-governmental organizations as the Francophonie and the European Union. Without forgetting the sponsorship and the sponsoring of cooperation organizations as French Cooperation and the Canadian Cooperation.

In terms of special mentions, we must add the moral, scientific and material support brought to CBS by the Holy See.

We will finish by the support brought to the CBS since its inception by the political authorities of the first rank as François Mitterrand and Jacques Chirac and authorities world-renowned scientists like Jean Bernard of the French Academy who was until his death Chairman of the Scientific Committee of CBS and Honorary President of JIB: International and African Bioethics Days of Yaounde.

All of this collaboration, both at the national, African and international level, took place through a correspondence rich and dense. These include official letters from various authorities mentioned above, on their support or their participation in the activities of the CBS.

The Achievements of CBS

III- The Achievements of CBS

From the informal meetings between friends lovers and specialists of bioethics, held on the sidelines of meetings of the Christian Association of Pharmacists of Cameroon (AIA) from 1990, will rise a National Association of Bioethics oriented Pan African, internationally recognized and supported named CBS: Cameroon Bioethics Society.

How are we arrived at this result?

In reality, the path was long and filled with pitfalls. Lifting Africa's international isolation in which it was compared to the debates on ethics and bioethics who had courses in the world was a difficult mission that the pioneers of the CBS were given from the outset.

After 14 years of legal existence and nearly 18 years of existence, one can say that CBS has taken up the challenge to bring the issue and debate the heart of bioethics concerns in Africa to the highest levels of decision. This may be regarded as the most important achievement of the CBS, but this is not the only think. In less than two decades this NGO, and its Centre for Research, CERB, have made a considerable work by its volume and diversity. In this vast field of achievements, five posts emerge clearly:

· National and international scientific Meetings

· Texts of scientific and polical nature

· Initiation and promotion of bioethics structures

· The development and structuring of the African vision of bioethics

· Continuing education in ethics and bioethics

III-1.Scientific Meetings

They were organized from 1992 in the form of national, pan-African or international symposia. The symposia were baptized J.I.B. : International and African Bioethics Days. These are highlights of the floor to maintain the African palaver, in particular on the African perception of bioethics, the African concerns of the moment in terms of ethics and bioethics, on intercultural dialogue as regards Issues of life, survival of the human species and the preservation of dignity, integrity and freedom of man.

The CBS has also organized on a regular basis Roundtables, some of whom live on national television, workshops and national and international fora on the sidelines of JIB or in specific way.

The academic sessions of the Scientific Committee of the CBS, as well as national and international courses that CBS has often organized, are also opportunities to meet and highly scientific debates, given the quality and skills of the members who constitute the Committee ' Experts.

To return to the JIB, we must point out that they have been one of the most important scientific events in African Earth each year, bringing together world experts in different fields of Bioethics. These days, the number thirteen (13) held so far, can be divided into three (3) groups:

· Five (5) National Days

· Five (5) Pan African Days

· Three (3) Francophone or world Days.

A more detailed study will help us in the following pages to present each of these days as they took place and draw the quintessence.

III-1-1 :J.I.B. 94

Title : Scientific Symposium

With the theme : « Traditional Medicine, Health Community and Medicine : Developments and Solidarity »

The Conference held at the Hotel Mont Febe Yaounde from 09 to 10 February 1994 is regarded as the starting point for national and international scientific meetings on bioethics which will become a tradition and a reference to Yaounde. Certainly this meeting has not been organized by the CBS, which already existed but without legal status. Therefore, under it is the legal coverage of the APCC (Association of Pharmacists Christians Cameroon) most of whose members, we have said earlier, was either Bioethics amateurs or professionals, that this first international meeting on ethical and bioethical concerns was held in Yaounde.

We must also mention tribute to the APCC that this international meeting was preceded by a National Workshop on Bioethics in 1992 during the Constituent General Assembly of this association. The titles and content of speeches by participants in this workshop said a lot about this turn of mind and ethical and bioethical concerns of members of the APCC which released a number of founding members of the CBS, including Prof.. Pierre Effa who was both President of the APCC and Chairman of the Board of CBS emerging.

One of the flagship titles of the workshop was "Community Health and Catholic Service Health." The author of this communication, Dr. Simon Atangana plunges us into the heart of bioethical concerns by stressing with emphasis the role of Christians Catholic health professionals in the humanization of health services throughout the world and Africa in particular.

According to him, cure for Christians in general must take a particular meaning as far as akin to land on the continuation of the work of healing that Jesus Christ had begun. In sum, Catholics Services Health, as the second speaker Monsignor Jean Baptiste Ama, President of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon, have an important role to play in the democratization of health care, ie the accessibility for all to basic health care.   The Scientific Symposium 1994, to return, deserves to be regarded as the first JIB, even if it has not been organized, like all the others who will follow by CBS. This is for several reasons:

· First, because it is at this meeting that the organising technical team of JIB will be set up with the Organising Committee and a Scientific Committee with names that always come back the following years

· The second reason why this symposia 1994 must be regarded as the starting point of JIB, is the scientific content of his communications. To support this assertion, we will simply dwell on communication and Workshop whose titles bear on bioethics. Given that almost all communications from this meeting presents a bioethics backdrop.

Starting from these two elements listed above, it is clear that the 1994 symposium was a true crucible for the development of concepts and African issues of bioethics.

Regarding the first, ie communication, it was presented by Professor Alain Lejeune and was entitled "North-South Relations, Community Health and International Solidarity : Human Rights and Bioethics".

In this communication, the author makes an admirable job of defining and clarifying the concepts of its communication whenever insisting on their history.

After this long definition of terms whose aim was clearly to highlight the issues and the depth of bioethical concepts, the author has attacked one of the fundamental problems of Bioethics which is the plurality of its fields and its transdisciplinarity.

Also, laying there a question of simple but important consequences for the future of Bioethics: "is there a common link between these various branches affecting medicine, pharmacy, law, philosophy, the humanities, see the diplomacy of inter-State relations? "

The author replied in the affirmative to this question by showing that the overall vision of man is the new Bioethics approach which no longer confined only to issues related to the practice and medical research. This vision encompassing various fields of expression of life and humans will be the foundation of the philosophy of JIB.

The last issue that holds the attention of the author and whose answer will certainly be instrumental in the establishment and institutionalization of JIB is "What can we do, alone or together in our respective countries to promote a reflection on the theme chosen for this scientific symposium? "

The response of Alain Lejeune here underlines emphatically the need for sustainability of “such places of words” to enable a permanent and constant exchange of experiences which alone can enable the North and South to evolve in the same direction. The JIB as a permanent framework for dialogue among various cultures and sensibilities of bioethics have largely filled this expectation and this vacuum on African soil debates on bioethics.

The second element that we mentioned above and which makes Symposium 1994 starting point of JIB, is the Workshop V of this scientific meeting.

It was entitled: "Health Professions and Bioethics. The Interpellations within our societies ".

The work and discussion within the workshop also focused on broadening the scope and perception of Bioethics.

Thus, one of the organizers of the workshop, speaking at the outset will develop as follows: "The Bioethics concerns us all, it is ethics, that is to say the behaviour in front of life and its mechanisms. " In other words, bioethics is not only the case of health professionals, but a concern appealing the entire society so that "the integrity of the human species" and "respect the dignity of the 'Man "are more words in vain.

Again we see a clear direction that will keep JIB later.

It appears, therefore, the foregoing that the scientific symposium held in Yaounde from 9 to 10 February 1994 on the occasion of the celebration of the 2nd World Day of the Sick had a considerable influence on the direction and development of debate on bioethics in Africa.

This meeting allowed the progressive setting up of men and issues that will make Yaounde JIB, highly scientific meetings led by experts of the Entire World and an area of discussion recalling the traditional African palaver.

The fruits were therefore hold the promise of flowers: from informal meetings of a few specialists and amateurs on Bioethics from 1990, was born a scientific movement bearer hopes of an entire continent, on the most serious involving survival, the lives and well-being.

III-1-2JIB 1995

After scientific symposium in 1994, JIB 1995 taking place in Yaounde from 13 to 17 February under the theme: "Exploration of the Culture of Life of African World. Ethics and Health ", were of the opinion of all an exceptional event. Firstly because it was the first time that stood in Cameroon and even African Earth a meeting dedicated to bioethics. It was also the first time that the World Day of the Sick at which the JIB of 1995 were held, was officially celebrated on African soil.

The World Day of the Sick, established by Pope John Paul II in 1992 was in its third edition and is the first time that the official ceremonies of its celebration took place in Africa.

The historic character of JIB 1995 can also be seen through the national and international mobilization they have aroused among men of science and policy makers. Is it not unusual to obtain, for a meeting, was it intellectual, in sub-Saharan Africa, so often neglected, both the patronage of UNESCO and a message of support from its Director General at the Opening Ceremony. Without forgetting the support and the message of His Holiness Pope John Paul II, the message and the support of Professor Jean Bernard of the French Academy and the message of the President of the French Republic François Mitterrand brought by Senator Frank Sérusclat, co-author of the laws of Bioethics in France, participation and the message of the President of the World Medical Association, Dr. Jacques Moulin.

At the national level also, it must be stressed that an intellectual event has rarely mobilized as such.

On the political level we can note the sponsorship and support of not less than six departments covering the broad field of bioethics. These include the Ministry of National Education, Ministry of Industrial and commercial development, the Ministry of Justice and Keeper of the Seals, the Ministry of Scientific Research and Technology, Ministry of Higher Education and finally Ministry of Public Health.

In scientific terms, the mobilization was equally large in the country, with the participation in the work of eminent professors in all fields of knowledge associated with the Bioethics, led by Jesuit Father Engelbert Mveng, a major figures of the African Renaissance.

Exceptionnelles, International and African Bioethics Days 1995, were also by the revolution they brought in Africa, awakening the bioethics conscience which seemed doze in the hemisphere cradle of life and civilization.

It is therefore hopeful that all welcomed this initiative of the emerging bioethics society. Starting with Federico Mayor, Director General of UNESCO, the patron of this event whose message we actually read: "The awareness of all people, irrespective of the country, region or continent, as global issues seems to me essential, and it is important to encourage Africa to the creation of committees on Ethics, both nationally and regionally, to that thought be conducted in this area. Yaounde Days, the first of its kind in Africa are historical in that regard. "

This is the same hope and optimism which will glide on people's minds during this work that we can still read on the front lines of the final declaration of this meeting, called the “Yaounde Declaration”: “The African delegates at the first International Bioethics symposium on African soil, welcomed with friendship, respect and admiration, their colleagues and friends from other continents. The convening of this symposium is for our Continent, for each of our countries, for those we represent here and ourselves, a matter of joy, pride and great expectations. "

But over all, JIB of 1995 will mostly shone on the quality and quantity of its work, whether communications, roundtables, or presentations. The tone was by the way given very early from the Inaugural Lesson of Professor Engelbert Mveng. In a living style and full of images, he built assistance on the design of life and death in African culture. A design that makes death and life two conflicting realities in perpetual combat.

A fight which bends on the side of death at this time in Africa, according to Professor who deplored the "fragility" of life and destiny of the African man at the end of the twentieth century, which he referred to many causes both endogenous and exogenous.

But the professor does not closed its intervention in this pessimistic view of the domination of the forces of death on those of life. He ended rather by a vow, that of seeing established in the world, a cosmopolitan ethic that will devote in, the twenty-first century, the victory of the forces of life over those of death, through meetings such as Yaounde.

Also, he writes: "As we gather here to celebrate life and not to mourn over death, therefore call life! Call the twenty-first century the century of life! Since we believe in Bioethics, ie the triumph of life over death, order and rigour on the disorder, light over darkness, freedom over servitude, finally the truth over falsehood. "

The other communications that followed three days at the Congress Hall in Yaounde kept the same scientist height and the same optimism for a better future for humans in Africa and the World.

We will, however, complete the presentation of JIB 1995, by mentioning the last of this exceptional scientific meeting. It is the rare privilege that the participants in the Yaounde Days of Bioethics had to consider, at the request of the President of the International Bioethics Committee (IBC), Mrs Noelle Lenoir, the outline of the Declaration on the Protection of Human Genome, the common heritage of mankind.

It was for Congress in Yaounde, an honour and exceptional merit to work on this fundamental text for UNESCO and Humanity, which was still under embargo, and produce many remarks that have been a report to UNESCO.

III-1-3JIB February 1996

From 12 to 15 February 1996 was again held in Yaounde a scientific symposium of international dimension on Bioethics called "National First Days on Bioethics". The symposium was national in name only in terms of nationalities and scope of the scientists who took part. Only the level of patronage and sponsorship of JIB in February 1995 that the term "national" had a meaning. Insofar as these days of Reflection were held under the patronage of the Most Honourable Yeguié Djibril Cavaye, President of the National Assembly of Cameroon, and with the sponsorship of six departments involved in the field of bioethics.

As in previous editions, many messages of support and encouragement were sent to participants of JIB February 1996. We mention in particular those of moral and religious authorities of Cameroon: Protestants, Muslims, Catholics and Representatives of the Traditional Authority. With a special mention for His Eminence Cardinal Christian Tumi and His Majesty the King Ibrahim Mbombo Njoya, who had personally participated in the work and had stressed the commitment of the Catholic prelate and the High Representative of the traditional Authority to defend, more than in the past, human life on a daily basis.

We will also highlight the messages of political authorities in Cameroon in the form of words of welcome or opening and closing Speech. Here, in addition to the opening and closing speech of the Minister of Public Health and the word of welcome by Mr Basile Emah, the Government Delegate to the Yaounde Urban Community, we will discuss mainly the speech of Vice President of the National Assembly.

We will finish by the message of a Scientific Authority of world renown, Professor Jean Bernard of the French Academy. In his message, Professor Jean Bernard reported on the progress of medical research of the last fifty years, highlighting the ethical and bioethical issues that led to this progress, but also the hope of reaching resolution of these problems by new discoveries.

Regarding the dimension of scientific work in February 1996 in Yaounde, we must once again say they have shone in their depth, their discipline and their diversity. The Inaugural Lesson presented by Professor Hubert Mono Ndzana entitled: "Introducing Bioethics." The professor, referring to the work of JIB 1995, held to set people's minds, from the outset, on the subject of their meeting and their concerns: the Bioethics. He reminds us, among other things Bioethics is a new concept in Cameroon and Africa in general, the primary purpose of JIB was the popularization of the concept and awareness by the general public to bioethical concerns.

So he wrote: "the forum that brings us together today is therefore a logical continuation of this information and awareness campaign that CBS had begun to familiarize the national consciousness with this novelty espistemo-ethics."

Based on the work of Alain Lejeune and the Rev. Engelbert Mveng, Professor Mono Ndzana will then answer the question "What is Bioethics then?" For him Bioethics is in the final analysis, a multi-discipline, transcending and federating areas such as traditional ethics, biomedical research, legal, social, anthropological and even the absolute.

Beyond this brilliant inaugural briefing, we have witnessed communications high bills with a special mention for the presentation by Monsignor Jean Mbarga, considered one of the leading experts in bioethics in Cameroon.

In a dense communication entitled "Violations of life," Monsignor Jean Mbarga has identified several cases of violation to life after having defined and characterized what life is like in general, and that of human beings in particular. He will focus more on the factors that help explain but not justify these attacks on life, before finishing on the walls that we must build to defend life.

III-1-4JIB September 1996

The September 05, 1996, CBS has held in the Conference Room of the Credit Foncier Cameroon, in Yaounde, An International Bioethics Day called "Special Bioethics Day", under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of National Education of Cameroon, President of the National Commission for UNESCO, not to mention the sponsorship and participation of His Excellency the Minister of External Relations of Cameroon.

As representative of the international scientific community, we must acknowledge the presence at the work of Professor Alain Lejeune, Vice President of the Belgian Red Cross and Secretary of the Belgian Association of Bioethics.

We must finally bring the participation in the work of a roomful of Yaounde important diplomatic personalities.

In terms of programme of this special day of Bioethics, it is clear that this meeting was aimed at least two objectives:

· To discuss the texts and international instruments on Bioethics and particularly the OAU resolution on Bioethics and development in Africa, adopted two months earlier under the instigation and preparation of the CBS. It has mainly been talking about re-read the Declaration in the light of other international texts that have preceded it. It has focused on Resolution of the Interparliamentary Union on Bioethics presented by Mr Jean Missoup, Director of the United Nations to the Ministry of External Relations of Cameroon. Without forgetting the programme of Bioethics of UNESCO presented by His excellency Cheikh Tidiane Sy, Representative of UNESCO for Central Africa.

· The second visible objective from the meeting was preparing the second edition of the Pan African International Bioethics Day scheduled to take place in Yaounde from 24 to 28 February 1997. It was the Cell Communication from the CBS to present and submit to the appreciation of the assistance, the program estimates of JIB 1997.

The work of this special day on Bioethics took end a very beautiful way with a reflection of Professor Alain Lejeune on "Challenges of Bioethics for the twenty-first century". Throughout this communication, the professor has tried to answer two fundamental questions: "What humanity do we want to be? What Humanity do we want to leave to our children, our descendants?"

The answer to these questions led the speaker to establish inter alia, that human life is a sacred and inviolable, and that "Anything that is technically possible can not be morally acceptable."

The challenges of Bioethics for the twenty-first century will consequently increase vigilance around bioethical issues and to globalize the mobilization of populations for better protection of life.

III-1-5 JIB February 1997

2nd International Bioethics Days

Yaounde, 24-28 February 1997

The Second International African Bioethics Days, which are the 2nd Pan-African edition after that of 1995, have known, everyone will agree to double success: success esteem, success in the quality of the presentations.

These Days had received official sponsorship of the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU). The Secretary General of the IPU sent a formal message to the participants.

The Second Days were, in fact, the fifth major event on bioethics in Cameroon and Africa.

Since February 1994, at Mont-Fébé, was preparing the outline of an action plan for Africa under the auspices of APCC (Association of Catholic Pharmacists Cameroon) and the IFCP (International Federation of Catholic Pharmacists and its Committee on Bioethics).

The action plan included three main areas

1. contribution to the development of bioethical reflection in Africa through Cameroon,

2. contribution to the promotion of accessibility for all to medicines

3. contribution to the establishment of University Pharmacy training facilities on

the spot in Cameroon and Africa.

From Cameroon, these lines must radiate to neighbouring countries.

The success of this North/South meeting was such and the welcome so enthusiastic that it leads to the creation of the CBS (Cameroon Bioethics Society). This brought the First International Conference on Bioethics, which were held at the Congress Hall in February 1995. The participation was broadly international, via presentations by Western tenors on Bioethics and African experts in medicine and philosophy.

In February 1996, CBS organized the Yaounde First Cameroonian and National Bioethics Days.

The Cameroonian authorities followed with great attendance this work. And this is without doubt one reason why, under the presidency of Cameroon, the session of Heads of State and Government of OAU (Organization of African Unity), meeting in Yaounde in July 1996, adopted unanimously the OAU Resolution AHG/ES.254 (XXXII) on Bioethics in Africa.

The Cameroon Bioethics Society celebrate the event by the Organization of a Special Day of Bioethics on September 5, 1996, under the aegis of the Ministry of External Relations, the Ministry of National Education, OAU and the UNESCO. This Day was coupled with a symposium on accessibility to essential medicines at WHO.

The fifth act, is one of those Second International Bioethics Days, which began, ironically, before their official opening.

AT THE CATHOLIC INSTITUTE YAOUNDE

Indeed, a prelude, there was a special session at the Catholic University of Central Africa – Catholic Institute of Yaounde - School of Nurses.

Faced with more than 120 people, the symposium was devoted to [MEDICAL ETHICS AND VIOLATIONS OF LIFE - ETHICAL BODIES FORM BEGINNING TO END OF LIFE.

Four presentations (Violations of life, its beginning and its end: Alain LEJEUNE-Medical Ethics Professor ETAME EWANE - Relationship Doctor - Patient - Code of Ethics of Cameroon - Reverend P. Prof. MBARGA Jean - Issues related to abortion Dr. Patrice MBAYA) coordinated and led by Alain LEJEUNE were followed with a remarkable attention and then gave rise to a very rich debate with the audience.

In conclusion of this workshop, one can draw attention to the dangers of drift from medicine to utilitarian purpose, even economic (Prof. ETAME EWANE). It is more and more away from the Hippocratic Oath which advocated improving the health of the patient or his relief. Abortion and euthanasia are medical procedures that can bring more and more a distrust of some doctors, a precursor of death, instead of being agents promoters of life.

"Bioethics, is the design of a set of guidelines (standards) developed a multidisciplinary aimed at finding consensus aimed at ensuring respect for human dignity and maintain the integrity and sustainability of the human species in the field of research on living, and Biomedicine, in particular. "(Alain LEJEUNE).

Bioethics is based on 3 major principles:

· Respect for human dignity

· A therapeutic benefit for the patient

· Informed consent of the patient or his relatives, if he is unable.

Bioethics is a debate, a dialogue where we need to know how / show creativity. (Alain LEJEUNE).

Bioethics is also the passage of the illness of the individual to individual patient (ETAME EWANE).

Bioethics is different from ethics, while having some common points, ethics is lived inside a group (doctors, pharmacists, nurses), it is not universal, it is based on a code that defines honour and professional dignity inherent to this group, with a disciplinary law to punish the transgression of the code.

Bioethics is interdisciplinary, universal, it is based on moral values, and works in the field of freedoms and consciences.

Bioethics and ethics have in common good of the sick, respect for his self-determination, autonomy, informed consent, his human dignity.

These two concepts are based on the principles

· Charities: the good of the patient

· Benevolence: from the caregiver

· Respect for life ...

· Medical secrecy (R. P. Jean MBARGA).

The question of respect for life, there are clearly one of respect for life at its very beginning, from fertilization and abortion involves everyone. This little man is from fertilization and deserves respect. It is a human person at all stages of its development (Alain LEJEUNE).

So we spoke both in the media of road accidents and their victims, never says nothing of abortion, a social evil which, however, is still more victims. (Dr. Patrice MBAYA).

But abortion may lead to high morbidity and high mortality:

· Vis-à-vis the fetus, we must remember the principle of inviolability of the human, and "Thou shalt not kill".

· Vis-à-vis the mother, it must be stressed maternal mortality, morbidity and diseases sequels (including infertility, psychological disorders ... and the drama of couples without children as a result of manoeuvres abortion).

Abortion is a brutal, leaving moral and psychological pain. It is always a failure. The best fight is the assumption by the community girls' mothers, and the creation of a network of adoption of new-born unwanted. Why not induce an organized financial solidarity between infertile couples who wish to adopt a child and those who can not keep theirs? Track to follow ... (Dr. Patrice MBAYA).

It is therefore important, before all these attacks on the dignity of the human person, the attacks against its inviolability, including unavailability of abortion and euthanasia, that we can use for all these caregivers, the clause l 'conscientious objection. "Benedictus Fructu Ventrex brake prayer reminds us of the Ave Maria ..." the fruit of your bowels is blessed ….."

For this, we need to promote better information, education to respect for life, human dignity. It should also promote knowledge of the natural means of birth control, prenatal develop medicine to cure a sick embryo, and provide facilities for pregnant women in difficulty to address their problems by accompanying worthy of Christian charity. (Alain LEJEUNE).

1st Session at the Congress Hall in Yaounde

Before the Bureau, chaired by His Excellency MP AMOUGOU NOMA, Vice-Chairman of the National Assembly, Mr Georges BINAME (Inter-Parliamentary Union, Belgium), Mr Ambassador of France, Mr CHEIKH TIDIANE SY, representative of UNESCO, and Dr. Pierre EFFA, President of the Cameroon Bioethics Society, began work with an agenda very dense.

The assistance was widely representative of the religious, diplomatic, scientific and academic World. (Bishop Adalbert NDZANA, Bishop in charge of Health within the Episcopal Conference of Cameroon, SE CHEIK MOUNIR PEKASSA SIN IBRAHIM, President of the Pan African Islamic Conference, H.E. Reverend John Samuel ZOE OBIANG, representing the Secretary General of the World Council of Churches -- His Excellency the Ambassador of Belgium, His Excellency the Ambassador of Japan, His Excellency Mr Ambassador of Morocco, H.E. Delegate of the European Union, Mrs. Prof.. Dr Peter Elizabeth (South Africa), Mr Rector 's University of Douala.

The reading of messages to the organizers of the International Days of Bioethics, from the messages of HE Mr Jacques Chirac, President of the French Republic, the Holy See, (Monsignor Elio SGRECCIA), through the messages of OAU, the IPU, UNESCO (Frederico Mayor)……. were very rich in content.

Indeed, not only those messages were very positive but their contents were taught on the main aspects of bioethics, as perceived by these international bodies. Their reading will undoubtedly much information to the bioethicists and researchers in these areas, rapidly developing ....

The Inaugural Conference, delivered by Alain LEJEUNE, gave the main aspects of "VIOLATIONS OF LIFE".

After recalling that life is the first gift to us, and that is our most valuable asset, it was said that advances in bioscience are such that both certainties on the beginning and the end of life were shattered.

We know one thing is that we will die, that we are not immortal and now we can add that from our conception until our death, a quantity of elements can achieve our lives: illness, disability , And achieving ultimate: death.

The right to life is the first of Human Rights. This life of man is a sacred: it is inviolable, inalienable, unavailable, human life is the dignity of man from the natural fertilization until its natural end.

Violations of this life can be the result of nature or man made. Attacks by the fact of nature are of course our natural end: death, but also natural disasters (volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, floods, droughts, epidemics ...).

Attacks by man-made are many (murders, wars and conflicts, genocide, embargoes, death penalty ...).

There is also damage to life by man-made and progress of Living (accidents related to transport, chemical or environmental accidents by deforestation, accidents related to working conditions,) or poisoning ( pharmacomanies and substance abuse), but also - and this is what interests bioethics today - without neglecting other phenomena) violence to life by man-made and progress of biomedical sciences. (Contragestion, abortion, genetic manipulation and eugenic abuses, human clinical testing, cloning, euthanasia ...).

Violations of life are very numerous in many conditions of our existence.

Also, in everything that affects life, should we have a responsible attitude:

· Humility of men before natural phenomena,

· Prudence and wisdom of man to progress,

· Vigilance and awareness of abuses before the development of science Biomedical.

We must also be aware that damage to life are not innocent, they may have political goals, hegemonic, economic or financial. Science can not be subject to money, and humans must remain master of science. In soul and conscience he must know that everything that is technically possible is not always morally acceptable.

2nd Session: Tuesday, February 25 at the Congress Hall in Yaounde

Under the successive chairmanship of Mr. BINAME Georges and Alain LE] EUNE, this session was devoted to "International Instruments of Bioethics."

Dr. Luc NDJODO, Judge, Secretary General of CBS, has reminded us since the Convention on Human Rights from 1948 to date, the legal route that is common to call the Dignity of Man. He has brilliantly commented on how African countries have adopted, since their independence, the Convention on Human Rights. The issues of beginning and end of life, clinical trials involve more than specialists in biomedicine. It is the fate of humanity that is at stake and especially the sacred, inviolable and unavailable character of life. The issues of bioethics should be a broad public debate before adoption by States.

The "Resolution on bioethics in Africa", adopted unanimously by the Conference of Heads of State and Government of the OAU in July 1996 in Yaounde, broadens the basis of resolutions previously adopted in other forums. Thus, in Article 4, it takes a commitment to integrate its content with national laws and create the required institutions in respect of cultures. This resolution contains a series of strong points:

· Access for all to health care;

· Inviolability of the human body;

· Intangibility of the genetic heritage of mankind,

· Unavailability of the person and not marketing.

· Anonymity of the organs donor and recipient ,

· Free and Informed Consent,

· Protection of incapacitated and prevented legal,

· Supervision of research on embryos,

· The right to benefit from scientific progress, without discrimination,

· The right to protection against any form of trade and exploitation of individuals particularly children.

It is a resolution that has a moral force and is not binding (as a convention) until it is translated into national law.

It is important to make it known by many to better penetrate the populations of issues thereof.

Professor Pierre SENDE, Doctor and MP, expose to us the Resolution of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) on "Bioethics: International Implications for the protection of human rights".

In contrast to the OAU resolution on the African countries, the resolution of the IPU has a global dimension because the IPU brings together representatives of all parliamentary sovereign parliaments of the world.

Dr. SENDE is familiar with this resolution because he chaired the meeting of the IPU, where it was adopted at Madrid in April 1995.

Since Hippocrates, man has always been a major concern as the other man in a state of suffering. But during the war 1939-1945, there were horrific experiments on prisoners. They lead to a code of ethics of medical research: the NUREMBERG code, the first international code on experimentation on the human body. It was followed by statements of the World Medical Association Helsinki, Manila, Tokyo, Venice, Geneva ...

In France in 1983, Prof. Jean Bernard launched the National Consultative Ethics Committee, which will become the spearhead of bioethics reflection.

Then came the need, before the importance of the issues raised, to leave the circle of scientific experts and expand these questions to other disciplines, and "Mr Tout le Monde" and its representatives, parliamentarians. This was all the basic work of the IPU.

The problems of procreations medically assisted departure principle of benevolence led thousands of human supernumerary embryos, kept in freezing ... and that some scientists have wanted to use as material testing, handling - very serious ethical issue because it affects the human being.

Other important part, since the discovery of DNA, and the double helix by Watson and Crick in 1952, began genetic manipulation ... sometimes curative purposes, but sometimes eugenics, but sometimes also military (create men resistant to fatigue or sleep), studies of human clones (though banned). With genetic engineering, handling, we can create a man different from what it should be, "another serious ethical question.

It is for this that the IPU has decided to respond by that Resolution 1995, which forced national laws to follow this important global instrument.

After two remarkable presentations, there was a particularly rich debate relating to cloning botanical extremist to humans (prof. ETAME), the concern over anything that affects the human environment (Prof. SENDE) on the applicability of Resolutions, their controls, Denunciations in cases of infringement, their sanctions (Dr NDJODO) on pesticides, mad cow disease (BSE), cloning human, solidarity to implement (Dr. Patrice MBAYA) Resolutions and the means required).

A proposal for a recommendation was made by Mrs. Salome NGABA so Cameroon put in place practical structures required by the Resolution of OAU, and creates a Bioethics code for Cameroon, with control tool.

That resolution was put to the vote and adopted unanimously. An Editorial Board was immediately installed (Mrs. NGABA, Dr NDJODO, Dr SENDE, Prof. ETAME, and Dr. Victor ANOMAH NGU, Dr Pierre EFFA, coordinator).

Alain LEJEUNE concludes the work by recalling that the Bioethics was raised here in Yaounde in 1994, that was born here in Yaounde the first Bioethics Society in Africa, that it is under the chairmanship of a Cameroonian MP, Dr SENDE that UlP adopted in Madrid in 1995, "Bioethics Resolution, international issue on the Protection of Human Rights", That it is here in Yaounde, under the chairmanship of Cameroon, in July 1996, that the Conference of Heads of State and Government of the OAU has unanimously adopted the "Resolution on Bioethics in Africa", and that here we take for the fifth time an international meeting on bioethics thinking ....

It is here also that in 1995 took place the First Work of the UNESCO project on the Human Genome to proclaim the common heritage of mankind ....

It would be logical that the “Inter-African Centre for Resarch on Bioethics" desired by the OAU can be born and grow here in Cameroon.

It is a wish that I expressed in my message to His Excellency the President of the Republic Mr Paul Biya, and I am ready to continue to provide you with all my will to that effect.

3rd Session: 26 February 1997 at the Congress Hall in Yaounde

Under the patronage of UNESCO, this session was devoted to "CHALLENGES OF THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN GENOME by “THE STUDY OF DRAFT UNIVERSAL DECLARATION FOR THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN GENOME AND HUMAN RIGHTS."

The work is chaired by the Resident Representative of UNESCO, Mr. CHEIKH TIDIANE SY attended by Dr. Pierre EFFA, President of CBS and Prof. Georges BINAME, President of the Belgian Association of Bioethics. The Representative of UNESCO congratulated the religious, scientists, traditional authorities who kindly participate in this session. He congratulated those responsible for CBS who took this bold initiative to discuss these issues at the heart of humanity

The UNESCO Delegate made a few observations: It is the first time in human history, that humanity must reflect health accompany a scientific project at high risk for the global equilibrium. The purpose of our meeting is to ask, because it is random to provide comprehensive answers to bioethical concerns.

The most important question for the human genome is that of his status. Can it be patented, then it is not "industrially". Who owns the gene pool? Whoever gave its cells, the researcher, business?

Another question, genetic screening and testing in accordance with the principles of freedom and non-discrimination. Finally, we are concerned the genetics of populations and the therapeutic use of data from genetic code.

Alain LEJEUNE is asked to read the preliminary draft of UNESCO.

Prof. Jean Samuel ZOE OBIANG, propose to us a reading "African" of the document. This complementary view "African" on the text makes some suggestions ... The suggested amendments are underlined

Article 2:

(a) ... own genetic identity ... and inalienable right (to be added)

(b) ... adding: "It also incorporates the contributions of its environment, its roots in history and is a dynamic global transcendence.

(c) .... rights, whatever

Article 3: Physical and socio-cultural environment, education

Article 5 (a) Individual, family, society and humanity ...

Article 7: scientists, diagnoses or treatment (Inversion)

Article 9: or any other purpose, not calling into question the best interests of the human race ....

Article 11: the individual, family, society and humanity ...

Article 14: add: They should also take protective measures against the aggression of Nyctosophes.

Article 16: Other developed countries (instead of industrialized)

Alain LEJEUNE

Article 17: revocability of consent ...

Article 19: Danger genome reached by radiation (atmospheric) (or atomic). The common heritage - patentability is incompatible.

Prof.. SENDE - revocability of consent is a guarantee

· Inviolability is stronger than that proposed by the Sub-Committee on Human Genome of the CBS.

· Sanctions that should accompany this text

· Including toxic waste, substances irradiated (see Chernobyl), repair downstream and upstream protection are needed.

The concerns patentability of inventions, not discoveries, but here it is between two interpretations. We must therefore impose the non-patentability (it was said that this debate would be brought before the World Trade Organization!)

Prof. ETAME EWANE explains the term "Nyctosophe" Given its importance in African society (and even elsewhere in Europe and the USA). Prof. ETAME has developed diagnoses following the theory of daytime and night witchcraft. He showed evidence of certain pathologies original witch. In the practice of traditional medicine, there is the herbal orientation, or taking witchcraft. (WHO launched a search to traditional medicines and to the ancestral dimensions, excluding these "social pathologies" are excluded part of the African cultural and scientific tradition ...

Dr. Patrice MBAYA recognizes the reality of the phenomenon of witchcraft, not only in Africa but also in South America. It is a phenomenon that affects many people. This is not a question of believing or not believing it, but to see this reality to understand patients. He is working with the Reverend Father Eric de ROSNY (s.j.).

Reverend Father Jean MBARGA said that concern all sectors who are interested in human beings in Africa. We must put a criticized reflection for being able to speak of man in its entirety. Should be studed these influences related to the anthropological conception of man, as perceived in Africa. In Europe: body and spirit, in Africa it adds the "double" which can influence the body and mind ... We must therefore a criticism of this phenomenon.

Prof. SENDE recalls that this is the preservation of human dignity ... but it is important that the genetic inheritance of a man is not transformed into something else ....

Georges BINAME note its interest in the ongoing debate on witchcraft. He qoutes an example of Peru before the World Cup. The questions we are asked are universal and answers are cultural. There is no answer at different levels, all are estimable and the same quality. We must especially focus on what brings us together rather than what divides us. Finally, it is useful to know what is estimable for the dignity and integrity of human beings and the human species. There are practices, different approaches but all of which are aimed at promoting human dignity.

Prof.. MAKANG, "the metamorphosis of human into animal is part of African religious practice." He proposed that formula ... "the secrets of particular religions must be safeguarded.

Prof.. ETAME, "it is not a religious approach, but evidence ..." but should submit articles on these practices transformation ...

The métabiologie can investigate aspects of these issues.

For Dr. Pierre EFFA, it is necessary to consider these issues and initiate research on these lines of work that this area is established as an area not only Africa, but universal. Alain LEJEUNE recalls that the ontology traces the philosophy and suggests an accompanying document that would give the African side, and open up prospects for cultural research.

Reverend John Samuel ZOE OBIANG resumed the final conclusions. II agrees with the presentation of two documents to the urgency - Contributions to the draft Declaration and accompanying document. He is wary of universality, which in some cases, can crush humans. He said that "ratiocratie" is a disease of modern science. We must not be "simplistic" of human beings in its immense diversity.

In conclusion, we remember that the proposals made by the Sub-Committee were selected, as well as previous International Bioethics Day 95 recalled by Alain LEJEUNE.

In addition, on a proposal by the President of CBS, Dr Pierre EFFA, a sub-committee was formed for the preparation of a Resolution of the Forum on the Human Genome. The following were appointed: REV. Prof.. Jean Samuel ZOE OBIANG, Mr Samuel EBO, Pr ETAME EWANE in conjunction with the Executive Office of the CBS. REV. Prof. Jean MBARGA Rector of the Grand Seminar Nkolbisson - Yaoundé Professor of Ethics and Bioethics at the Catholic University of Central Africa-YAOUNDE

4th Session: Congress Hall Yaounde Forum on Environment and Development

From 15 H opened the forum on Environment and Development chaired by Rev. Prof. Jean MBARGA, led by Dr. Richard NDEMANOU (Cameroon) environmentalist. His presentation brilliantly

contained three key points:

· The environmental crisis;

· Environment and Development;

· ethical choices.

Regarding the environmental crisis, the speaker has demonstrated that today the balance is broken in the vital relationship between man and nature. The ecological disasters are increasing.

Regarding the relationship between environment and development, it was recognized that the preservation and protection of the environment are guaranteed a precious asset which we must use that interest. For a healthy environment is a prerequisite for sustainable development. It is possible to reconcile environmental and development provided to fight against the degradation of nature and the resources it offers.

Finally the speaker emphasized the ethical choices that must guide the relationship between environment and development. In this framework, the man must be seen as a steward of natural resources and not as the only master. It must act with respon