The present publication is the result of a study initiated to obtain as accurate an overview as possible of the national ethics committees or national ethics bodies in the Council of Europe member and observer states. More than a simple list, the aim of this survey was to improve the understanding of the structures, mode of operation, duties and activities of these different national ethics bodies. After an in-depth analysis, the conclusion has been reached that despite the difference of structure between the national ethics committees and the national ethics bodies, their organisation and their duties and activities is comparable.
