The Bayer Advisory Council on Bioethics has been established to identify challenging issues which pertain to blood products. These products are used by millions of people around the world who suffer from a wide variety of conditions including traumatic injury causing blood loss, immune system disorders, certain types of cancer, genetic deficiencies and blood clotting disorders.

The Council will provide a multi-disciplinary forum to discuss ethical questions that are unclear and which may require further research and analysis. These could involve benefit versus risk in using blood products; the definition of acceptable risk; the public's need and right to be informed about blood products; informed consent; notifying patients and doctors about potential risks and side effects related to blood products.

The Council's findings will be published so that all participants in the blood system - both in Canada and around the world - have access to its deliberations and recommendations.

The Council's goal is to provide tools to the people involved in blood systems enabling them to make the best possible decisions in order to bring better health care to Canada and to communities around the world.