News
Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences SAMS
Organ donation after assisted suicide? Interview with CEC President Paul Hoff
The number of assisted suicides is on the rise. In some cases, people who intend to end their lives wish to donate their organs after death. Organ donation and assisted suicide have been practised independently of each other in Switzerland for years, combining both practices, however, raises numerous new medical-ethical questions. In an interview with the Tages-Anzeiger, Paul Hoff, president of the Central Ethics Committee (CEC) of the SAMS explains why he considers an in-depth discussion important.
Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences SATW
Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences SAMS
News
Organ donation after assisted suicide: Legal opinion for informed debate
Can organ donation take place in a Swiss hospital following assisted suicide? Both practices are legally permitted, widely accepted in society, and are already carried out in Switzerland. However, their combination raises new ethical and legal questions. In 2025, the Central Ethics Committee (CEC) of the SAMS published a position statement on the ethical aspects of this issue. Today, the SAMS is publishing a commissioned legal opinion on the subject. Both documents are available on our website.
Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences SAMS
News
Animal experimentation: ECAE Statement on 3R research
The Ethics Committee for Animal Experimentation (ECAE) has issued a statement on parliamentary initiative 21.426 by Katja Christ, «More resources and incentives for 3R research to accelerate the development of alternatives to animal testing».