Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Chairman of the CNBC, the Chief Scientist for Research and Innovation of the Republic of Cyprus and the Research Innovation Foundation

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed today by the Research and Innovation Foundation and the Cyprus National Bioethics Committee. The purpose of the Memorandum is to define the framework for cooperation on issues of common interest between the two parties.

Specifically, the Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) and the Cyprus National Bioethics Committee (CNBC) signed a Memorandum aiming to address the bioethical dilemmas that may arise, as well as to further educate the research and the domestic innovation ecosystem related to the implementation of specific legislation. The aim is to speed up the procedures for the benefit of the research community, through the creation of appropriate channels of communication and cooperation between the two parties.

In particular, the Memorandum provides, inter alia, for the provision of training by the National Cyprus Bioethics Committee executives regarding the implementation of the relevant Law, the creation and use of communication channels between the Foundation and the domestic ecosystem, in terms of providing information on issues related to the role of the CNBC.

In the framework of the ceremony, the Chief Scientist for Research and Innovation of the Republic of Cyprus and Chairman of the Board of Directors of RIF, Dr. Nikolas Mastroyiannopoulos expressed his satisfaction with the signing of the Memorandum that marks, as he noted, the beginning of a new era and an important collaboration.

Dr. Mastroyiannopoulos stated that “Since ethics is an integral and necessary part of scientific research, the education of the domestic ecosystem on the topics related to research, the education of the domestic ecosystem on issues related to bioethics is crucial, so that the research results will be aligned with the social and ethical values as well as with the applied law”. He also added “Our cooperation with the CBNC, is crucial and is expected to contribute substantially to speed up the processes for the benefit of the research community, through the creation of appropriate channels of communication and cooperation between the two parties”.

The Chairman of the CNBC, Professor Konstantinos Felas, stated that “Bioethics as a pillar of scientific research contributes to the promotion of the dignity, rights, security and well-being of those involved in research projects (patients and/or healthy volunteers).The partnership between the two parties is therefore expected to prosper the expectations and aspirations of both”.