Following a recommendation from the Danish Parliament's Committee on the Council on Ethics, Minister of the Interior and Health Sophie Løhde has appointed DTU's provost Christine Nellemann as the new chair of the Council on Ethics.
Christine Nellemann has been a member of the council since 2023 and will take over as chair on April 15. She replaces Leif Vestergaard, who has previously been director of the Danish Cancer Society and the Central Denmark Region.
Sophie Løhde elaborates on the appointment:
"In a time when the world is changing rapidly, we often encounter new ethical questions and dilemmas, and it is important that the Council on Ethics can contribute to the debate in society with qualified considerations and perspectives. I am pleased that Christine Nellemann is now taking over as chair and will be leading the council's work. Her commitment to current societal issues is strong, and I look forward to the collaboration.”
Ethical development of new technology
With her vast experience with bioethics, Christine Nellemann has distinguished herself as a strong voice in the Council on Ethics and has contributed widely to both academic and societal discussions about ethical dilemmas in the encounter between people and technology.
"The appointment is a big recognition and a vote of confidence from the committee in the Danish Parliament. With my background in natural sciences, I am particularly looking forward to putting even more focus on areas such as nature, biotechnology and food in the Council,” she says.
Christine Nellemann believes that the new role as chair could also benefit her work as provost at DTU.
“I would really like it if we at DTU had ethical dilemmas in mind before we started new research or developed new technology so that we could shape the development with our Danish and European values – in a different way than they would develop research and technology in the USA or in China,” she says.
DTU President Anders Bjarklev is pleased with the appointment of Christine Nellemann and that DTU’s provost has a profile that has landed her the position as chair of the Danish Council on Ethics.
“It will strengthen our position as a leading institution that not only promotes technological innovation but also ensures that development takes place in a responsible manner so that it serves society in a positive and meaningful way,” he says.
