Prof. Dr. med. Dr. phil. Eva Winkler has been unanimously confirmed as Chair of the Central Commission for the Safeguarding of Ethical Principles in Medicine and its Border Areas at the German Medical Association (ZEKO) for the eleventh term of office (2025–2028). The election took place at the 109th meeting of the body on 18 February 2026.

Prof. Dr. phil. Dirk Lanzerath. The other board members Prof. Dr. jur. Dr. h. c. Volker Lipp, Prof. Dr. med. Dr. phil. Sabine Salloch and Prof. Dr. med. Jan Schildmann, M.A.

The Vice President of the German Medical Association, Dr. med. Ellen Lundershausen, who chaired the election, paid tribute to Winkler as a clinically active doctor, experienced researcher and medical ethicist. She brings this combination of ethical-scientific expertise and practical medical experience to the work of the committee. The unanimous re-election is a clear sign of trust and recognition for her commitment over the past three years.

Winkler expressed his delight at the confirmation by his colleagues. In the past term of office, ZEKO has developed statements on central topics such as dealing with financial incentives, the use of treatment data for research purposes and – only recently published – on medical responsibility in the context of planetary health. These serve as a guide for doctors in ethically demanding situations of everyday care. For the coming period, it is now important to set new impulses together.

ZEKO is a multidisciplinary body that is independent in opinion-forming and decision-making. One of its core tasks is to issue opinions on ethical issues arising from medical and technological progress. In addition, it deals with fundamental ethical aspects of medical professional duties.

With the election of the board, the reconstitution of ZEKO is completed. The board of the German Medical Association had already reappointed all members of the tenth term of office in December 2025 – a sign of high appreciation for the voluntary work. This continuity of personnel was expressly welcomed, among other things, in view of the ongoing consultations on the topic of “Racism in Medicine/Anti-Group Action”. The other topics of discussion are determined by the Commission itself in the course of its term of office.

Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

Gender Notice. The personal designations used in this text always refer equally to female, male and diverse persons. Double/triple naming and gendered designations are used for better readability. ected.