Bioethics

 

At Novo Nordisk, bioethics comprises all ethical issues related to the use of life science technologies for the discovery, development and production of pharmaceutical products.

Within bioethics, there will always be differing views on what is right or wrong. We seek to reconcile the inevitable dilemmas that arise as technology offers new opportunities in research and development and as societal attitudes and norms change.

In this section, read about how we manage bioethical dilemmas in areas such as gene technology, stem cell research and clinical research.

 

Bioethics in general

At Novo Nordisk, bioethics comprises all ethical issues related to the use of life science technologies for the discovery, development and production of pharmaceutical products.

Within bioethics, there will always be differing views on what is right or wrong . We seek to reconcile the inevitable dilemmas that arise as technology offers new opportunities in research and development and as societal...

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Animal ethics

Experiments using animals are essential for the discovery, development and production of pharmaceutical and medical products, and are required by regulatory authorities. They are also a source of concern for society and for Novo Nordisk. While we cannot replace all animal experiments, we follow high standards in the housing, care and use of animals, and look for ways to reduce or replace animal experiments.

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Clinical research

Ethical guidelines and practices are integrated into the way Novo Nordisk conducts clinical research. Clinical research in developing countries often raises debate. All persons enrolled in Novo Nordisk-sponsored research are protected by the same rights, high...

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Stem cell research

Stem cell research has raised hopes for future treatment of serious degenerative diseases such as diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. Transplantation of stem cell derived cells can reconstitute the required cell types, thus alleviating the effects of the disease.

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Gene technology

Novo Nordisk uses gene technology and genetically modified micro-organisms (GMOs) in biomedical research and the production of pharmaceuticals. The GMOs are handled under closed and contained conditions and we routinely assess the potential risks involved with the application of gene technology.

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