Society Religion and Technology Project
at the 1999
Edinburgh International Science Festival
... the world's largest Science Festival
PRESS RELEASE - IMMEDIATE
Genetic Engineering - An Urgent Need for Balance
Church of Scotland Conference to bring Sense back to the Debate
Society, Religion & Technology Project, Church of Scotland
Engineering Genesis Conference
A Half Day Conference on the Ethics of Genetic Engineering in Scotland
Saturday 17 April 1998, 2.00 - 5.00 p.m. and 7.00-9.00 p.m.
Old College Lecture Theatre 1, Edinburgh University
Who can we really trust in all the current controversy over genetic engineering? Many people are asking where they can find a balanced, informed view, so they can weigh up the issues for themselves. This Saturday (April 17) the Church of Scotland Society, Religion and Technology Project puts on a half day conference at the Edinburgh Science Festival to do exactly that. Based on the much acclaimed new book "Engineering Genesis", it aims to bring a sense of balance back to a debate where hype, claim and counter claim have left so many confused.
Engineering Genesis is a unique 5 year study by a group of distinguished experts in animal and food genetics, in ethics, sociology and risk. Drawing from this mix of experience, it cuts across divides of the current debate and gives profound insights into some of the top issues.
For a preview of the book and more about the study which brought it about, see Engineering Genesis Preview
The Issues
- Can we risk genetically modified crops in the environment? Are calls for a moratorium more about politics or would 3 years research indeed provide the information we need to know?
- How far should we go in demanding labelling and segregation of GM foods? Are the Government's new regulations realistic or have they completely missed the point?
- Is the claim that genetic engineering can feed the world a hollow PR claim or something truly justified ... and what would it take to turn it into reality?
- Is cloning Dolly just another step down the road of treating animals as commodities, or could developments at Roslin lead to important new medical advances?
- Should we be doing genetic engineering at all - how far do we push back the scientific frontiers before we clash with basic ethical and environmental values?
- What is really driving all this? Who are the winners and who stands to lose out? Have we lost the control of our national values to the WTO trade lawyers, or can we find a way where a public voice can be introduced into biotechnology?
See also a Brief summary of some of What will be Said
Genetic Engineering in Plants and Food
In the afternoon session, top crop geneticist Mike Wilson presents the potential of genetic engineering, and Edinburgh theologian Michael Northcott challenges both the assumptions and the practice. SAC deputy principal David Atkinson gives a balanced view on genetically modified food issues, exploring what is right and wrong with current regulations and labelling. SRT Director and former risk regulator Donald Bruce puts the risk of genetic engineering into a wider perspective of risk in our world and asks how precautionary we should be. He will also expose the major social risk that we are giving the World Trade Organisation unprecedented powers to determine what genetically modified products we have in the UK, which we could be powerless to prevent. Will Scots be able to have control of their own values?
Afternoon Session : 2.00 - 5.00 p.m. 17 April 1999
There's a Fish in My Porridge?
Genetic Modification in Food and Crop Plants
14:00 Dr Donald Bruce Merging the Worlds - Genetics and Ethics
14:10 Prof. Mike Wilson Genetic Modification - A Scientist looks at the Potential
14:30 Rev.Dr Michael Northcott Genetic Modification - An Ethicist looks at the Problems
14:50 discussion
15:35 Prof. David Atkinson Food for Thought - Genes, Labelling and Democracy
15:55 Dr Donald Bruce Letting out the Genie: Is Genetic Engineering too Risky?
16:15 discussion
Genetic Engineering in Animals
In the evening Ian Wilmut, leader of the team which cloned Dolly the sheep explains what the cloning and genetic engineering developments at the Roslin Institute promise in the novel ways pharmaceutical products can be obtained from animals, and how animal cloning could making possible some important new medical advances. Animal welfare lecturer Mike Appleby looks at what we may and may not do to animals. There will be plenty of time for audience discussion.
Evening Session : 7.00-9.00 p.m. 17 April 1999
Dolly, Polly, Pig's Hearts and Mice
How far should we go in Engineering Animals?
19:00 Dr Donald Bruce Introduction - Why Modify Animals?
19:10 Prof. Ian Wilmut Cloning in Animals and Medicine
19:30 Dr Mike Appleby Monsters and Myths - Animal Welfare and Ethics
19:50 discussion
For Further Information, contact :
Dr Donald M. Bruce,
Director of the Society, Religion and Technology Project, Church of Scotland,
John Knox House, 45 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1SR, Scotland.
tel. 0131-240 2250, fax 0131-240 2239,
email : srtp@srtp.org.uk
SRT Website : http://www.srtp.org.uk/engenpre.shtml
Church of Scotland Press Office, tel. 0131 240 2243, fax 0131 225 6475
"Engineering Genesis" is published by Earthscan Publications, 120 Pentonville Road, London N1 9NJ at £12.99 paperback, £40.00 hardback ISBN 1 85383 570 6. Lara Bull at 0171-278 0433
WHAT THE REVIEWERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE BOOK
- "An outstanding guide for the morally and scientifically perplexed in this new age of genetics. No atheist has written anything half as good on genetic engineering as this report by the Church of Scotland." Tom Wilkie, Head of Biomedical Ethics, The Wellcome Trust, former science editor of The Independent.
- "At last a balanced and rational approach to genetic engineering. The pros and cons are clearly explained ... will be easily understood by the layman." Professor Sir Ghillean Prance, Director, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- "Engineering Genesis is a major contribution to the public debate on genetic engineering ... it is lucid, well argued and never shirks controversy." Dr David Shapiro, Nuffield Council on Bioethics, former Executive Secretary
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