With apologies for cross-posting, I thought the following Research and Development Society event would be of interest to list-members:

Dr Gill Samuels CBE, Chair Bioscience Futures Forum
"Informed but not governed by public opinion"
Tuesday 21 March 2006, 6pm
http://www.rdsoc.org/06L3notice.html

Past advances in biosciences have had positive impact on society, for example in health care. Now however, many of the public are concerned that the rate of advance, both in pure and applied bioscience, is such that important ethical, social and regulatory questions remain unaddressed. These concerns have led to a greater emphasis on risk in media reports, and greater use of the precautionary principle. Gill will discuss how to avoid the stagnation of advances in the biosciences without a greater effort by stakeholders to engage and build mutual trust with the public. Gill will argue that scientists have a clear responsibility and a key role in this process. The Bioscience Futures Forum had been established to adopt a proactive approach to bioscience regulation and reputation management, and to aim to shape the UK and EU environments of the future.

Dr Gill Samuels is a physiologist and neuropharmacologist by training. In April of 2005, she retired from the position of Executive Director of Science Policy and Scientific Affairs, Europe, Pfizer Global Research and Development. Previously, she was Director of Cardiovascular Biology for Pfizer contributing to the discovery of several new medicines. Her most recent work has focused on the science base, and on issues of global healthcare. She is Chair of the Bioscience Futures Forum and the Cheltenham Science Festival and serves on committees for the Science Museum, the Royal Institution, and NESTA. She was awarded the CBE for services to the Bioscience and Pharmaceutical Industry in 2002. 

Times:
5.30pm: Doors open for registration and coffee
6.00pm: Meeting
7.30pm: Drinks reception
8.00pm: Optional dinner at which discussion will continue

Venue:	
The Royal Society, 7 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AG 
(map at http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk/publication.asp?id=1878 )

Fees:		
R&D Society members £20, non-members £40 for meeting, coffee, and drinks reception. 
For dinner, add £45 to the meeting fee. 

To book:
Download and return booking form: http://www.rdsoc.org/06L3form.rtf
Early booking recommended.

See http://www.rdsoc.org/06L3notice.html for full details, or download a Word document at http://www.rdsoc.org/06L3notice.rtf of the meeting notice to print for display if desired.

All R&D Society events are open to members and non-members. All members of staff from Corporate Member organisations can attend at the member fee. All R&D Society events are held at the Royal Society, 7 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AG. 


Scott Keir
Administrative Secretary, The R&D Society

tel +44 (0)20 7451 2513
fax +44 (0)20 7451 2693
web http://www.rdsoc.org

The R&D Society
c/o The Royal Society 
6-9 Carlton House Terrace 
London SW1Y 5AG

Company Limited by Guarantee
Registered in England - No 1014555


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