Ethics Council: No to the immunity card

Ana Goldscheider studied journalism and corporate communication in Hamburg and is now completing additional training as an editor. In a medical editorial office, she writes texts for print magazines and, among other things.

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It's a tricky question: should you be able to get a certificate that you are immune to corona - and perhaps have some advantages in times of pandemic? This is currently out of the question for ethics advisors.

In the debate about how to deal with the coronavirus, the German Ethics Council currently clearly rejects the introduction of official proof of immunity. There is "considerable uncertainty" about immunity after surviving an infection. The informative value of antibody tests has also not yet been conclusively clarified, according to the independent advisory committee.

The extent to which such certificates could later be useful and justifiable with better knowledge was disputed among the experts. They have already called for stricter rules for immunity tests that can be bought free, which have a potential risk due to "dubious reliability".

"Free Ticket" or "Two-Class Society"?

The ethics council chairman Alena Buyx referred to the very controversial social debate about corona immunity certificates. Some imagined "a kind of free ticket" with which everything would be possible again even in the pandemic. Others see it harbingers of an "immunity-based two-class society".

For example, people who suffered from Corona should be able to move freely again, celebrate and travel uninhibited, according to the critics. On the other hand, people who are not yet sick would have to continue to adhere to strict restrictions - and that where they are presumably only not sick because they previously complied with the rules on infection protection and protected themselves as best as possible from infection.

Immunity not clearly established

The Ethics Council had unanimously opposed an introduction "at this point in time" - because of the current scientific state of the art. Accordingly, it has still not been conclusively clarified to what extent immunity develops after an infection and can protect against a renewed illness. How long the immunity lasts is currently still unclear. The assessment explicitly refers to immunity after infection, not from a possible upcoming vaccination.

Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) said in the evening in Frankfurt that since it has not yet been conclusively clarified when and whether immunity will arise, he can understand the assessment very well. "We'll take a look at it." Spahn had asked the Ethics Council for an opinion in the spring. The background was broad criticism of the original plans that immunity cards should also allow exceptions to everyday restrictions. Spahn withdrew the plans from the coalition after a protest.

Rights could come with duties

There were conflicting positions in the Ethics Council in the event that reliable findings were ever available. Half of the members consider the introduction of proof of immunity to be useful to a limited extent. Because of the pandemic, restricted freedoms would have to be given back to the citizens as much as possible, said council member Carl Friedrich Gethmann.

In addition to authorizations for people with certified immunity, obligations could also come into question - for example, to take on certain activities for the common good. Buyx emphasized that it does not mean that you can tear off your mask.

Evidence for just one area?

The other half of the Ethics Council members are also cautious in the longer term - for practical, ethical and legal reasons. Council member Judith Simon made it clear that proof of immunity should only be used in one area. In old people's and handicapped homes with isolation requirements for residents, people close to them, pastors or hospice services could be exempted from certain requirements.

However, PCR tests could also be used to prove that these are not contagious. Simon warned of "erosion effects" when prepared to adhere to general corona protection rules. In addition, false incentives could be set: people in financial difficulties could possibly become infected on purpose in order to gain advantages - and at the same time endanger their immediate environment.

Better education required

There is agreement that the population must continue to be comprehensively informed about infection protection and the associated measures. Above all, one should also sharpen one's view of fellow human beings and the common good.

In addition, people should be informed in detail by the federal authorities about how meaningful antibody tests actually are. Over-the-counter tests should be checked more closely, not least because of their questionable reliability. Furthermore, the council members spoke out in favor of increased corona research.

The Ethics Council currently consists of 24 experts from various disciplines - including doctors, theologians and lawyers. They are appointed by the President of the Bundestag. (ag / dpa)

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