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One Health, One Ethics

Contemporary Issues in Bioethics | Vol. 2

In its current mandate, the CNECV has chosen the One Health approach as apriority, intending to develop knowledge and disseminate information, aswell as to deepen reflection and foster public debate, going beyondtheoretical-conceptual discussions to concrete and concerted action at local,regional and global level.

The concept of One Health expresses an indissoluble unity between human,animal, and ecosystem health. It is also an ethical attitude or integratedrelationship between humans and other beings and their habitat. In One Health,ethics plays a crucial role in decision-making processes and the formulation ofguidelines, based on principles of responsibility, respect for vulnerability, and global justice.

The deterioration of the environment and ecosystems, fuelled by climatechange, has contributed to the worsening of multiple diseases of environmentaland animal origin, leading to the emergence of epidemics and pandemics, such asCOVID-19. In this context, the World Health Organisation (WHO) considers theOne Health approach best suited to prevent future pandemics. As acall to action, the CNECV therefore proposes recommendations to maximise the potential ofOne Health:

- At a public policy level, the CNECV recommends "One Health in allpolicies", with an intersectoral approach. The creation of aninter-ministerial group will aim to design a national plan to coordinateresources and monitor their implementation for a better response to epidemics,pandemics, and other extreme events, through integrated surveillance andmonitoring systems. The Council also recommends stepping up internationalcooperation, with more effective ways of collaborating and sharing resources at global, regional and local levels.

- At the institutional and socio-professional level, the CNECV advises thatthe exact sciences, social sciences and humanities be called upon to reflectand act in an integrated and collaborative manner. In the context of research,educational and professional institutions, cooperation in the various areas ofactivity, up-to-date training for those involved, the dissemination ofobjective and accurate information, as well as open and transparentcommunication was considered essential.

- At the level of citizenship, specifically regarding civil societyassociations and organisations responsible for promoting human rights, it isrecommended that political, scientific, professional and social interlocutorstake on their responsibilities to encourage informed and committedintervention by citizens in decision-making, promoting literacy in all agegroups and combating misinformation in the context of One Health.

With the publication of this volume of the Bioethics collection,Contemporary Issues, the CNECV takes another step in its commitment to society,contributing to an open, enlightened, informed public debate for a life togetherin fair, cooperative and supportive institutions.

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