Dear John
You might be interested in the following consultation, deadline 15 June 2011.
http://www.nuffieldbioethics.org/emerging-biotechnologies
"Emerging biotechnologies such as synthetic biology and nanotechnology have the potential to provide benefits for health, the environment and the economy, but they also raise concerns. This Working Party is considering the common ethical issues raised by such technologies, both past and present, and the implications for policy, governance and public engagement."
"The term ‘emerging biotechnologies’ is open to interpretation but examples of what we mean by it include:
• genetically modified (GM) crops;
• human enhancement technologies;
• nanotechnology;
• regenerative medicine;
• synthetic biology; and
• xenotransplantation."
I have written to the research officer today as I was very uncomfortable about what I read in the consultation paper about GM crops. I personally feel the Nuffield Bioethics Council comments on GM crops are badly informed in certain areas. I am also concerned about the Council's comments about the potential benefits of emerging technologies with little regard to the safety implications, and I will be changelling them. Please contact me if you would like copies of the correspondence. I sent the research officer the following link regarding the corporate assault on bio-sovereignty in Africa:http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/67543.
Last Saturday Scientists For Global Responsibility (SGR) had a conference in London, Emerging technologies: are the risks being neglected?. You can see the agenda here:
http://www.sgr.org.uk/events/emerging-technologies-are-risks-being-neglected
The conference was very interesting. Geo-engineering and climate change - I picked up from the conference that it was the general feeling that some of the geo-engineering solutions being put forward were "daft". I would recommend that anyone who is interested in geo-engineering solutions to climate change contact the SGR and hopefully we will all keep on the right track.
I was very impressed with the work the SGR are doing but like many other groups they are desperate for funding.
Tessa
|