Scottish Council on Human Bioethics

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Conference Report

ESRC Genomics Policy and Research Forum Launch

22 September 2005

Organisers: ESRC Genomics Policy and Research Forum

Venue: Edinburgh

Participants: Around 180 persons were present

SCHB participants: Dr. Calum MacKellar, Dr. Susan Holloway, Dr. Neville Cobbe

Personalities present:

Professor Ian Diamond, the ESRC’s Chief Executive
Tam Dalyell, Rector of the University of Edinburgh
Professor Vicki Bruce, Vice-Principal of the University of Edinburgh
Professor Ian Wilmut, Research Institute for Medical Cell Biology

Programme

Welcome and Introduction

Professor Vicki Bruce, Vice-Principal, University of Edinburgh, and Head of the College of Humanities and Social Science

The EGN and ESRC’s Research Strategy

Professor Ian Diamond, Chief Executive, ESRC

Future of the Forum

Professor Michael Banner, Director ESRC Genomics Policy and Research Forum
Respondent: Professor Ian Wilmut, Research Institute for Medical Cell Biology

Introduction to Keynote Address

Sheila Jasanoff Professor Grahame Bulfield,
Vice-Principal, University of Edinburgh and Head of the College of Science and Engineering

KEYNOTE ADDRESS:
'In the Democracies of DNA: Comparative Perspectives on Biopolitics'

Professor Sheila Jasanoff
Pforzheimer Professor of Science and Technology Studies, John F Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
Author of Designs on Nature (2005); Science at the Bar (1995); The Fifth Branch (1990)

Respondent:

Professor Steve Yearley,
Department of Sociology, and Senior Professorial Fellow, ESRC Genomics Forum, University of Edinburgh from 1 October 2005

Respondent:

Dr Sue Mayer
Director, Gene Watch

Closing Remarks:

Tam Dalyell, Rector, University of Edinburgh

SCHB Report:

The Economic and Social Research Council’s (ESRC) Genomics Policy and Research Forum was formally launched in Edinburgh on Thursday 22nd September. The Forum will be a key component in connecting research on the social and economic implications of genetics discoveries, from a network of academic centres, with public and policy debate. Led by Professor Michael Banner and based at the University of Edinburgh, the Forum is part of a £12 million investment into genomics research by the ESRC.

Professor Michael Banner, the Forum’s Director commented,
"The mapping of the human genome has been hailed as a scientific step forward of vast significance, promising new power to understand and shape ourselves and the world in which we live. The application of scientific advances poses many and difficult social questions and the social sciences have a vital contribution to make in enabling us to choose a future in which human well being will itself be enhanced."

Professor Vicki Bruce, Vice-Principal of the University of Edinburgh, said,
"The University of Edinburgh is delighted to be acting as host institution to the Forum, which will facilitate dialogue and debate between social scientists, medical and natural scientists within and beyond the institution."

Professor Ian Wilmut, added,
"It is very important than an organisation such as this forum is available for informed open discussions of issues raised by new biotechnology. Information from the human genome project creates many new important opportunities in human medicine but raises extremely sensitive issues about the use of information gained about the genetic inheritance of a particular individual. I therefore welcome this forum and wish it well."