Oh dear. Someone else with my cynical take on Converging Technologies. I
can't find a thing to disagree with in there.
I have seen these documents and hoped that there might be something else out
there that I had missed. Seems not.
I guess the one advantage I can see if this bandwagon, and its bent axles,
is that it might stop people from concentrating on nanotechnology as the
source of all evil. As nano is just a new toy, like chemistry or monoclonal
antibodies, picking it off and using it as a focus for loads of studies of
ethics, safety and the like is a bit pointless.
MK
____________________________
Michael Kenward
ABSW e-minder
http://www.absw.org.uk
http://absw.blogspot.com/
-----Original Message-----
From: psci-com: on public engagement with science
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Christopher Stokes
Sent: 28 June 2007 11:16
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] Synthetic biology - we want your views
I first came across the particular take on converging technologies I think
you're referring to when I came across a report published by the EU (now
here http://www.ntnu.no/2020/final_report_en.pdf). It sounded like a rather
cack-handed attempt to turn the notion that information and communications
technologies were converging - a very popular notion in the 90s - into
something far more grandiose. It may also have been a copy-cat move
inspired by a WTEC report published a year earlier on something similar.
That's here http://wtec.org/ConvergingTechnologies/Report/NBIC_report.pdf.
I haven't heard much since. That may be because I haven't been paying
attention to the right sources. Or it may be because it's a bandwagon short
of an axle or two, at least for the time being. But I'd be interested to
hear more if you think it's beginning to roll.
Chris
Quoting Michael Kenward <[log in to unmask]>:
> Who wants this synthetic crap? Bring back organic biology, I say.
>
> (Slightly) more seriously, has anyone delved into the wonderful world of
> Converging Technologies? Another marketing label for a hot area of
> science?
> Or something to worry about?
>
> I am starting a project in this area and desperate need to know what the
> labels means, beyond the obvious, which is that another PESTilent
> bandwagon
> is on the roll.
>
> MK
>
> __________________________________________________________________
> Michael Kenward / Phone/Fax: +44 (0)1444 401064
> /
> Science Writer & Stuff / Genetically modified words for sale
>
>
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: psci-com: on public engagement with science
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Synthetic Biology
> Sent: 27 June 2007 12:25
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [PSCI-COM] Synthetic biology - we want your views
>
>
> The Royal Society is considering undertaking a project on synthetic
> biology
> and would like your views. This is your chance to shape the focus of the
> Royal Society's future policy work in this area.
>
> A short document containing more information on synthetic biology and the
> call for views can be found at: www.royalsoc.ac.uk/syntheticbiology
> <http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk/syntheticbiology>
>
> The deadline for submission is 27 August 2007, either electronically
> (preferred format) or by post to:
> E-mail: [log in to unmask]
> <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
> Post: Kate O'Shea, The Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London
> SW1Y 5AG, UK.
>
> If you would like to submit comments or information but are unable to
> meet
> the deadline, or if you have any questions, please contact us on the
> details
> above.
>
>
>
> Kate O'Shea
> Assistant Manager, New and Emerging Technologies
> Tel +44 (0)20 7451 2674
> fax +44 (0)20 7451 2692
> web http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk <blocked::http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk>
>
> The Royal Society
> 6-9 Carlton House Terrace
> London SW1Y 5AG
>
> Registered Charity No 207043
> The Royal Society - excellence in science
>
>
>
>
****************************************************************************
> **
> The information contained in this e-mail is confidential and may also be
> subject to legal privilege. It is intended only for the recipient(s)
> named
> above. If you are not named above as a recipient, you must not read,
> copy,
> disclose, forward or otherwise use the information contained in this
> e-mail.
>
>
>
>
> ********************************************************************** 1.
> To
> suspend yourself from the list, whilst on leave, for example, send an
> email
> to [log in to unmask] with the following message: set psci-com
> nomail
> 2. To resume email from the list, send the following message: set
> psci-com
> mail 3. To leave psci-com, send an email to [log in to unmask] with
> the
> message: leave psci-com 4. Further information about the psci-com
> discussion
> list, including list archive, can be found at the list web site:
> http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/psci-com.html 5. The psci-com gateway to
> internet resources on science communication and science and society can
> be
> found at http://psci-com.ac.uk
> **********************************************************************
>
> **********************************************************************
> 1. To suspend yourself from the list, whilst on leave, for example,
> send an email to [log in to unmask] with the following message:
> set psci-com nomail
> 2. To resume email from the list, send the following message:
> set psci-com mail
> 3. To leave psci-com, send an email to [log in to unmask] with the
> message:
> leave psci-com
> 4. Further information about the psci-com discussion list, including list
> archive,
> can be found at the list web site:
> http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/psci-com.html
> 5. The psci-com gateway to internet resources on science communication
> and
> science
> and society can be found at http://psci-com.ac.uk
> **********************************************************************
>
> **********************************************************************
> 1. To suspend yourself from the list, whilst on leave, for example,
> send an email to [log in to unmask] with the following message:
> set psci-com nomail
> 2. To resume email from the list, send the following message:
> set psci-com mail
> 3. To leave psci-com, send an email to [log in to unmask] with the
> message:
> leave psci-com
> 4. Further information about the psci-com discussion list, including list
> archive,
> can be found at the list web site:
> http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/psci-com.html
> 5. The psci-com gateway to internet resources on science communication
> and science
> and society can be found at http://psci-com.ac.uk
> **********************************************************************
>
**********************************************************************
1. To suspend yourself from the list, whilst on leave, for example,
send an email to [log in to unmask] with the following message:
set psci-com nomail
2. To resume email from the list, send the following message:
set psci-com mail
3. To leave psci-com, send an email to [log in to unmask] with the
message:
leave psci-com
4. Further information about the psci-com discussion list, including list
archive,
can be found at the list web site:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/psci-com.html
5. The psci-com gateway to internet resources on science communication and
science
and society can be found at http://psci-com.ac.uk
**********************************************************************
**********************************************************************
1. To suspend yourself from the list, whilst on leave, for example,
send an email to [log in to unmask] with the following message:
set psci-com nomail
2. To resume email from the list, send the following message:
set psci-com mail
3. To leave psci-com, send an email to [log in to unmask] with the message:
leave psci-com
4. Further information about the psci-com discussion list, including list archive,
can be found at the list web site: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/psci-com.html
5. The psci-com gateway to internet resources on science communication and science
and society can be found at http://psci-com.ac.uk
**********************************************************************
|
