Tagged With: nigel brown
Why should we vaccinate our children?
By Professor Nigel Brown FRSB, President of the Microbiology Society. Since 1998 there has been a lot of debate about the safety of vaccination. This originated with a paper that argued that the triple Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccination in infants is related to autism. There have also been statements that vaccines contain toxic compounds and that … Continue reading
Is organic food better for you and for the environment?
By Professor Nigel Brown FRSB, President of the Microbiology Society. There is a considerable amount of concern about the use of pesticides and herbicides in the environment, and specifically their use on the food we eat. There is no doubt that we need to prevent insects and microbes from damaging our food crops and different … Continue reading
Genetically Modified Organisms (Part 2) – Are they safe and is there a need for them?
By Professor Nigel Brown FRSB, President of the Society for General Microbiology. Part 1 of this series described what GMOs (genetically modified organisms) are. There has been a backlash against these in some EU countries, including the UK. Two issues of concern are safety of individuals and safety of the environment. However, the main concern … Continue reading
Genetically Modified Organisms (Part 1) – What are they?
By Professor Nigel Brown FRSB, President of the Society for General Microbiology. The abbreviation GMO means Genetically-Modified Organism and these can be plants, animals or microorganisms. They are made by adding new genetic material to an organism. The genetic material is DNA, often obtained from a very different organism or chemically synthesised. In either case … 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