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 »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.
read more »Biofuels - What are biofuels?
Biofuels are renewable liquid fuels derived from microorganisms, plant or animal material (biomass). They can be used, in their pure form or as part of blends, to fuel transport vehicles as well as to generate heat and power.
With increasing concern about climate change, energy security, and agricultural and economic development, interest in biofuels has grown rapidly in recent years.
The main types of biofuels currently in commercial use (often referred to as first generation biofuels) are:
read more »New genetic recipes: are we cooking up trouble with synthetic biology?
Dr Thomas H Murray, President and CEO of The Hastings Center in the US, delivered the Council's 2009 public lecture on 29 April at the Royal Society in London.
His talk considered a range of issues raised by this new multi-disciplinary area of research. In particular, he considered the concept of non-physical harms such as affronts to nature, and the role such harms should play in public policy.
The lecture is recorded in six parts, the first is the clip embedded below, then you can follow these links to watch the rest of the lecture.
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