Policy
Science must be a key priority for the next Government
By Dr Laura Bellingan FSB, director of science policy at the Society of Biology Election Day 2015 is almost upon us. While it is interesting to contemplate the tangled bank of possible outcomes beginning with the simple casting of a single vote (many times over) even Darwin might not bet on the endless forms of … Continue reading
What are ‘three-parent babies’ and is this an important medical advance?
Professor Nigel Brown FSB, President of the Society for General Microbiology, is writing an article each month for The Bridge, a local magazine delivered to every home in the villages of Corsley and Chapmanslade in Wiltshire. There have been many comments in the news over recent weeks about so-called ‘three-parent babies’. This rather alarmist description … Continue reading
Will antibiotics be useful in the future?
Professor Nigel Brown FSB, President of the Society for General Microbiology, is writing an article each month for The Bridge, a local magazine delivered to every home in the villages of Corsley and Chapmanslade in Wiltshire. Readers will be familiar with going to their GP and expecting a prescription for medicine – quite often an … Continue reading
Listen to the debate: Eradicating Malaria: Can we do it? Should we do it?
In 2007, Bill and Melinda Gates committed themselves to eliminating malaria worldwide. Today, it has been eliminated in 111 countries but can it be eradicated worldwide? If it can, would the resources be better spent on other developing world health initiatives? Would controlling the disease be more beneficial than elimination? During Biology Week 2014 we … Continue reading
Securing the future of our natural capital: a 25 year strategy
Written by Ben Connor, policy officer at the British Ecological Society. This piece was originally posted on the BES blog. A comprehensive 25-year strategy to protect and enhance England’s natural capital is required if the Government is to meet its commitment for this generation to be the first to leave the natural environment in a … Continue reading
What does a scientist look like?
By Dr Catherine Ball, science policy advisor at the Society of Biology and Biochemical Society If I asked you to think of a ‘typical scientist’ what would you imagine? It is a sad truth that, although we have come a long way, stereotypes can still dominate. As a policy advisor, part of my work focuses … Continue reading
Science and Innovation strategy: proceed with care
By Dr Laura Bellingan FSB, Director of Science Policy at the Society of Biology Research in the UK attracts public and private investment because it is seen, and a high proportion of it can be measured, as excellent. This is a judgement that takes time to develop and is acceptable as robust because it is … Continue reading
Policy Lates: Dodging a Biological Bullet
The Society’s latest Policy Lates event ‘Dodging a Biological Bullet: What can we learn from the US and Europe about Biosecurity?’ saw international experts come together to discuss what should be done about dual-use research, which has the potential to be misused for harmful purposes. For an introduction to dual-use and biosecurity read ‘Dual-use for … Continue reading
What are we pausing?
Michael J Imperiale is professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Michigan Gain-of-function studies, as the name implies, are experiments in which a new biological behaviour is conferred upon an existing virus e.g. the ability to be transmitted between mammals in the case of the bird flu virus, H5N1. Earlier this month, the … Continue reading
Evidence matters, and we can all ask for it
By guest blogger Indrayani Ghangrekar From all directions we are told what we should and shouldn’t do, about diets, staying healthy, fighting disease, avoiding chemicals, helping the environment. Some of the advice is based on rigorous testing and evidence, but some is not. How do you sift through the confusion and work out what to … Continue reading