The Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Scientists hosted a roundtable discussion on the ethics of drug research involving children. Approximately 150 attendees heard from seven speakers, including professors from universities across Germany and representatives from regulatory and pharmaceutical organizations. The speakers addressed the legal and ethical challenges of drug research in children, discussed the historical developments and failures that have shaped regulations, and emphasized the importance of continued research to develop new treatments for pediatric patients.

1. Forum Bioethics
Drug research at children ethical requested or doubtful
Place of venue: Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Scientist, Berlin 6 pm
Attendees: ca.150
Chairman of the German ethical advisory board: Prof. Dr. jur. E. Schmidt –Jortzig
Roundtable discussion members:
1) Prof. W. Rascher member of Bfarm (dept.) drugs at children, hospital Erlangen
Gave an overview concerning different approvals of drugs especially for children since 2007, it was
requested by law and updated of number of studies the requested current situation for an approval
2) Prof. A.Eggert, West German tumor center Essen
Maintained the important support to receive results at any strength to develop new drugs and also
the meaning for the future and not to keep back such novel developments
3) Prof. Taupitz , member of German ethic advisory board
Gave an overview concerning the unsure ethical, legally, scientifically situation for all (physicians,
patients, scientists, authorities, companies
4) Prof. G. Marckmann Institute for ethics an history of medicine, Munich;
5) Prof. C.Wiesemann, “ “ “ , Göttingen
Arised the historical development of the research for the patient group including some miles stones
and failure (f.e. thalidomide)
6) Dr. S Throm vfa,(groupe of research pharmaceutical companies) Berlin
Described the enormous efforts to realize such research developments (authority and research cost,
safety and study designs, timelines
7) Prof. Dr. D. Niethammer, Tübingen foundation for sick children
Explained the work of his foundation