SRT BULLETIN No.22, June 2000

Number 22, June 2000
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Contents - Page 1

How Risky are GM Crops?

Prince Charles, Science and SRT

General Assembly 2000
- Mobile Phone Masts
- Green Your Church

Risk in Debate

Contents - Page 2

Cloning Update	Churches meet EC on Environment
In June the Government is due to say if it will change the law on embryo research to allow embryos to be cloned and then reprogrammed into replacement cells for degenerative diseases. SRT made a Joint Submission to the Donaldson Committee on Human Embryonic Cloning with the Church of Scotland Board of Social Responsibility's human genetics group. This expressed concern about the routine use of embryos in this way, and calling for a wider public discussion. SRT Meets MPs In March Dr Bruce was invited by the Bio-Industry Association to discuss cloning issues with MPs at Westminster. It was a small but lively meeting where he was able to flag up the main ethical issues over cloning. He is also involved with the Human Genetics Commission and the Wellcome Trust, for whom he is advising on the script of an educational play on cloning issues. For extensive discussion of issues of human and animal cloning, see SRT's Cloning Pages. Back to Contents	In 1995 a working group of European churches made a Report to the European Commission, critiquing its sustainable development policies.Top level meetings with the EC led to a second study, integrating environmental, economic and social aspects, completed in 1999. We criticised the EC's climate change record It had proposed significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions before the Kyoto Climate summit with the Church's support. We felt let down because the EC were now cutting even their smaller Kyoto targets by trading emissions with Third World countries. The rich north is ducking its own obligations by taking advantage of the poor. We also pointed to the EC's failure to tax fossil fuels to pay for their environmental damage. EC Response In April 2000, working group members met senior EC staff in Brussels to hear their response. Kyoto was unsatisfactory but the best they could do pragmatically. They urged the churches to raise the wider issue of the inadequacy of CO2 targets to reduce climate change and the need to cut down on national car use. They saw, as the churches had predicted, global trade now posing threats to EC environmental standards. Here Christians have a special role to speak out. We have an open door for further discussion. Back to Contents

Cloning Update

Churches meet EC on Environment

In June the Government is due to say if it will change the law on embryo research to allow embryos to be cloned and then reprogrammed into replacement cells for degenerative diseases. SRT made a Joint Submission to the Donaldson Committee on Human Embryonic Cloning with the Church of Scotland Board of Social Responsibility's human genetics group. This expressed concern about the routine use of embryos in this way, and calling for a wider public discussion.

SRT Meets MPs

In March Dr Bruce was invited by the Bio-Industry Association to discuss cloning issues with MPs at Westminster. It was a small but lively meeting where he was able to flag up the main ethical issues over cloning. He is also involved with the Human Genetics Commission and the Wellcome Trust, for whom he is advising on the script of an educational play on cloning issues.

For extensive discussion of issues of human and animal cloning, see SRT's Cloning Pages.

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In 1995 a working group of European churches made a Report to the European Commission, critiquing its sustainable development policies.Top level meetings with the EC led to a second study, integrating environmental, economic and social aspects, completed in 1999. We criticised the EC's climate change record It had proposed significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions before the Kyoto Climate summit with the Church's support. We felt let down because the EC were now cutting even their smaller Kyoto targets by trading emissions with Third World countries. The rich north is ducking its own obligations by taking advantage of the poor. We also pointed to the EC's failure to tax fossil fuels to pay for their environmental damage.

EC Response

In April 2000, working group members met senior EC staff in Brussels to hear their response. Kyoto was unsatisfactory but the best they could do pragmatically. They urged the churches to raise the wider issue of the inadequacy of CO2 targets to reduce climate change and the need to cut down on national car use. They saw, as the churches had predicted, global trade now posing threats to EC environmental standards. Here Christians have a special role to speak out. We have an open door for further discussion.

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Launching SRT Associates

The SRT Associates scheme was launched on 15 April at a buffet supper at the Netherbow for those who have signified a particular interest in SRT's work. The Director and members of the Committee presented some of SRT's history, our recent work and future plans. Associates will be kept in touch with SRT's ongoing work via regular mailings, including reports, submissions to Government, press releases, etc. To widen the base of our work, Associates with relevant skills are invited to help by comment and advice. If you would like to join the SRT Associates scheme, contact SRT administrator Anne Wyllie, or Fill in an Inquiry Form.

SRT Trust

Scottish Charity Number SC 028260 The SRT Trust exists to raise funds to enable SRT to expand into major new projects, and if possible to take on an associate director to meet the many new opportunities now opening up for SRT.

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SRT in the Media	SRT : Website of the Month
Recent highlights include discussions with Ian Wilmut on Radio 4's Today Programme and Grampian TV, a Moral Maze slot on Prince Charles' views on science, Eye to Eye phone-ins, a Hypotheticals debate on cloning and a Cambridge Union debate on genetics. Back to Contents	In April, ScottishChristian.com did a special feature on SRT in its useful information site linking Christian websites all over Scotland. Back to Contents
CofE Internet Study	Potato-powered Computer
*Cybernauts Awake!* is a book produced by our sister organisation, the Science Medicine and Technology committee of the Church of England. A study group including previous SRT Director David Pullinger addresses some big issues over the impact of IT and the Internet. To steward our mutual resources, SRT did biotech and the CofE looked at IT. Well worth reading. Contact SRT for details. Back to Contents	If you're short of Energy? ... ... try an indigenous Scottish resource?

SRT and Your Needs

SRT as a Resource

SRT is the Church of Scotland's mission to the world of science and technology, but it is also a resource for all the churches in Scotland, and further afield, to help understand some of the issues of our day in science, technology and the environment.

Church Magazines

The SRT Bulletin aims both to inform as well as providing thought provoking articles for wider use. Please feel free to use its material in parish magazines and other literature. All we ask is that you acknowledge SRT as the source, and also to let us know. This helps us know the sort of things you find useful. Your comments are also welcome!

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For More Information ...

See our Publications List, or Send us a request if you would like an information sheet on an issue, or a list of our journals and publications, or if someone you know would like a regular copy of this newsletter. We also offer advice on many scientific and technological questions, and apologetic issues such as science and faith, and the environment. Our office in John Knox House has a library on a wide range of subjects for you to browse or borrow.

To Contact SRT, write, phone or fax to :

Society, Religion and Technology Project
John Knox House, 45 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1SR, Scotland.
Tel : +44 131-240 2250, Fax : +44 131-240 2239

Or send us an email .... mailto : srtp@srtp.org.uk

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