Our Bioethical Principles

At Bayer, we consider gene technologies to be powerful tools in drug discovery and development. We use gene technology tools to study human diseases, improve manufacturing processes, and develop new treatments, including regenerative gene therapies. Bayer believes that gene therapies have a promising potential to bring tremendous value to patients suffering from rare monogenic diseases (such as Pompe disease) or to broader patient populations with complex pathway diseases (like heart failure). As such gene technologies provide novel treatment options for conditions for which there is a lack of alternative treatments, or where the current standard of care only addresses symptoms to different degrees. Bayer also recognizes the potential of gene technologies to develop more targeted, personalized treatment options. 

In our Crop Science business, we use gene technology tools to produce seed, plants, and microbes with beneficial traits that provide nutritional, agronomic, and economic benefits that significantly reduce the environmental footprint and impact of agriculture while increasing productivity.

In the face of challenges posed by climate change, gene technologies provide rapid methods of developing and selecting for more resilient crops, which complement conventional breeding methods.

We are conscious of potential environmental and ethical considerations related to agricultural applications of gene technologies. We take the principles of stewardship seriously, for example by establishing guidelines for our own sites and those of our seed producers, which must be followed. These measures include protecting locally important landraces. Bayer is committed to providing continuous, collaborative support to farmers. This includes the co-design of sustainable farming practices, stewardship, quality management activities, and training programs related to agricultural applications of our gene technologies.

Human stem cells have great potential for regenerative medicine and drug discovery. There are two types of pluripotent stem cells which can turn into virtually any kind of cell in the human body: embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells which are generated from adult cells e.g., blood cells. Bayer wants to use these cells to develop regenerative therapies for severe and life-threatening diseases, such as Parkinson’s or heart failure. In addition, Bayer also utilizes those cells to test new drugs on human cells. However, we are aware that some people have concerns about using human embryonic stem cells.

Research using human biological samples (HBS), such as tissue and blood, is performed to enhance the knowledge of human diseases, improve diagnosis and to discover and develop new treatments.
Conducting research on human biological samples is critical for the development of safe and efficacious new drugs and therapies. 
 

Studies in humans play a vital role in the Pharmaceutical and Consumer Health product development process as they provide essential insights into the safety and effectiveness of new products. 
At Bayer, we pay utmost attention to the individual’s well-being, dignity, safety, and rights. Our ethical considerations for studies in humans revolve around four fundamental principles:

• Obligation to consider the benefit for the study participant or to help others (Beneficence)
• Obligation to avoid causing harm to the participant or to others (Nonmaleficence)
• Concerns that participants are treated with fairness and equity (Justice)
• Respect for Autonomy of the participant. 
   

AI is becoming increasingly important for bringing new advances in areas such as the life sciences and many areas of society. At Bayer, we believe that AI is an important technical enabler for many aspects of our business and operations. For example, AI already plays a crucial role in drug discovery and development, personalized medical treatments and improving diagnostics. Since AI is constantly evolving, we will keep refining our bioethical stance and principles to ensure responsible and thoughtful use of this technology.

Animal studies still play an important role in ensuring that the benefits of our products outweigh the potential risks to humans, animals and the environment, and therefore remain part of the current standard data requirements and approval process of our products by regulatory authorities.