Emerging biotechnologies - Evidence-gathering meetings
The Working Party on emerging biotechnologies held a number of evidence-gathering meetings between May and July 2011 to inform its deliberations.
Research and development
read more »Working Party on emerging biotechnologies meets with experts
In May 2011, Members of the Working Party on emerging biotechnologies held fact-finding meetings with specialists in research and development and public engagement, as part of their evidence gathering process.
During the first meeting, experts in synthetic biology, tissue engineering, biochemistry, cloning, gene therapy and deep brain stimulation shared their views on a range of issues, including:
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The concept of emerging biotechnology
Consultation on emerging biotechnologies
The Council has launched a call for views and evidence on the ethical issues raised by emerging biotechnologies. By looking at both current examples, such as synthetic biology and nanotechnology, and taking lessons from older cases, such as GM crops and IVF, the Council is interested in the way society and policy makers respond to new biotechnologies and how benefits from these technologies can be secured in an ethically appropriate manner.
The deadline for responses is 15 June 2011.
read more »'Biofuels: ethical issues' report launch
The Council will publish a report on the ethical issues raised by biofuels on 13 April 2011.
This report follows an 18-month inquiry chaired by Professor Joyce Tait, Scientific Adviser to the Innogen Centre at Edinburgh University.
read more »New Working Party on emerging biotechnologies
The Council has set up a new Working Party to consider the ethical issues raised by emerging biotechnologies such as synthetic biology and nanotechnology.
read more »Emerging biotechnologies - Consultation
The consultation on emerging biotechnologies closed on 15 June 2011.
The Council would like to thank everyone who contributed to the consultation. The responses are being considered by the Working Party. A report with recommendations for policy will be published in autumn 2012.
Where permission has been granted, the responses will be available to download after the Working Party has published its report.
read more »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.
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