In many European countries there is an on-going lively debate on a number of ethically sensitive topics, such as: euthanasia; organ donation; same-sex marriage or its legal recognition; adoptions and relevant criteria, including whether or not same-sex couples should be given children in adoption; artificial or medically assisted procreation; the status of the human embryo and abortion.
In many European countries, legislation on all or some of these topics is already in force, while in other countries there are guidelines or applicable procedures. In some others, no legislative regulation has been established so far.
It is appropriate, at this time, to compare existing legislation, so as to highlight possible common feelings.
Such feelings, moreover, should be ascertained by means of monitoring activities, questionnaires and sociological research.
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe should carry out similar research, thus fulfilling its terms of reference and contributing to the development of a constructive dialogue between different experiences. In doing so, all positions should be taken into equal consideration, so that no supposed ideological superiority of any countries may emerge.