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21 December, 2010
Since 1991, a Eurobarometer team has conducted a public survey to find out about the opinions and perceptions of Europeans about biotechnology every 2 – 4 years. The most recent Eurobarometer was conducted in January and February 2010 and was published in November. A representative sample of the total EU-27 population at the age of 15 years or older (almost 407 million people) was asked a wide range of questions about technologies in general, several applications of biotechnology and governance issues. For the purpose of this report LIS Consult focused on the application of biotechnology in food and analysed the data for the total EU-27 sample. In some cases a sample of the EU member states representing the major countries and showing the range from low to high ratings was analysed . Also data from previous Eurobarometers were used to analyse trends in public opinion about GM food. The relationship between level of support to public perceptions on risks, benefits, naturalness and fairness was investigated and the impact of specific applications and the use of different technologies using genetic material from other species or from the same species was analysed. Previous analysis of public surveys about biotechnology have highlighted the importance of public trust in the regulatory process, public authorities and other professionals responsible for biotechnology, such as industry and environmental organisations. Therefore, the report also includes an analysis of the impact of trust on public support of GM food.
A full version of the report can be downloaded here (in PDF format, 255 kB)
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21 December, 2010
EU-SOL Newsletter nr. 07 is online with the following content:
1. Distinguished by taste: Interview with Frank van Kleef, Royal Pride Holland
How do EU-SOL’s goals relate to the present and future needs of producers? We tried to find out by asking Frank van Kleef, owner-director of Royal Pride Holland, one of the largest tomato growers in the Netherlands. A quick look at Royal Pride Holland’s website is enough to discover that this is not an average tomato grower. Apart from the size of45 hectare, Frank van Kleef and his partners are well aware of current changes in the demands of consumers and retailers for tasteful tomatoes at a reasonable price that are grown in an environmental friendly way. Van Kleef argues that breeders should take their responsibility and introduce only good-tasting varieties on the market.
2. European public nuanced about biotechnologies: Analysis of the 2010 Eurobarometer about biotechnology
Apart from taste, consumers are increasingly interested in production methods. In EU-SOL we are interested to know whether and how consumers distinguish between different kinds of DNA based technologies, such as genetic engineering and the use of DNA markers. Unfortunately, the most recent Eurobarometer did not include questions about DNA markers. Nonetheless, combined analysis of the 2010 and previous Eurobarometers indicate that at least a significant part of the European public distinguishes between different applications and technologies, which stems hopeful about public acceptance of Marker Assisted Selection.
3. Abiotic stress resistance in tomato: How EU-SOL scientists from Wageningen University use genetic material from a wild type tomato
Although satisfying consumers with tasteful products is extremely important, productivity remains an important trait for growers. Ep Heuvelink and Sjaak van Heusden from the Plant Science Department of Wageningen University explain how they developed a tomato line that can cope with heat stress. The ultimate goal is to identify and isolate the gene responsible for stress tolerance, although EP and Sjaak think it is probably too optimistic to assume that it’s only one gene. Nevertheless, the results are promising and tomato breeders already asked for seeds for further crossing with their proprietary material.
4. China’s policy to increase potato yield
Increasing productivity of food crops is particularly interesting for developing economies such as China; a country that has to deal with continuing economic growth and a shrinking supply of arable land while confronting severe water shortages. Although the productivity of rice, wheat and corn could still be further enhanced, there is still much to gain in other, traditionally less popular crops such as potato. This is why the Chinese government has an agreement with the International Potato Center to jointly launch a major potato research center in Beijing. There is no doubt that the potato genome sequence drafted by the Potato Genome Sequencing Consortium will be playing an important role in this initiative.
The complete EU-SOL Newsletter can be downloaded here (in PDF format, 3.5 Mb).
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29 November 2010
Today, the first edition of the Synthetic Biology Newsletter was published. The Synthetic Biology Newsletter is an initiative of LIS Consult and the Synthetic Biology Project of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. The newsletter is financially supported by the Commission on Genetic Modification and the Rathenau Institute, both in the Netherlands.
The full newsletter (in PDF) can be downloaded here
In this issue:
I. Synthetic biology and the bio-based economy
Who would ever believe it possible that synthetic biology would make cars drive on renewable diesel and jets fly while reducing greenhouse gas emissions? Or that synthetic biology helps to replace petroleum based products by sugar based counterparts? Oh, and did you know that frogs set the example for a super efficient foam that captures energy and removes excess carbon dioxide from the air? Read more about synthetic biology and about Amyris, one synthetic biology company that is seriously and ambitiously paving the way for a bio-based economy as our glimmering future. Read more.....
II. Synthia’s (not so) revolutionary character
Do we need to start worrying about potential risks for our health and security? Is synthetic biology helping us to create artificial life? Or is our first self-replicating synthetic bacterial cell ‘just the replacement of one of the motors (of life)’, as the Vatican and other institutions believe? Meanwhile, US President Obama thinks it is time for his bioethics commission to start answering some serious questions. How can the US ‘reap the benefits of this developing field of science while identifying ethical boundaries and minimizing risks?’ Read more.....
III. Society’s response to synthetic biology
While synthetic biology is growing as a field of science, international civil society organizations rely on their 1990s genetic engineering strategy. They focus on risks and call for a moratorium and stricter regulation. Meanwhile, scientists and public policy authorities seem to have learned their GMO lessons. The success or a failure of a potentially controversial technology, depends on the way the public perceives it. So, in Europe, public debates are blooming. Read more.....
IV. Radical biology
Stuff for our hardcore science readers…Learn how bio-engineers are working on very radical concepts of biological systems; concepts that involve the fundamental principles of genetics and cellular mechanisms. Read more.....
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4 November 2010
The objective of the NanoCode Project is to define and develop a framework aimed at supporting the successful integration and implementation, at the European level and beyond, of the Code of Conduct (CoC) for nanosciences and nanotechnologies (N&N) proposed by the European Commission in 2008.
In the context of this NanoCode Project, Schenkelaars Biotechnology Consultancy and H LIS Consult investigated the opinions of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the Netherlands on the CoC for N&N and their experiences with other voluntary codes, measures and practices aimed at the responsible development of N&N. Download the full report here
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29 July, 2010
A recently published ‘Country Report’ describes the social context for the governance of nanotechnologies in the Netherlands. The report is one of the products of the ‘Nanocode project’, of a multistakeholder dialogue providing inputs to implement the European Code of Conduct for Nanosciences & Nanotechnologies Research.
This Code of Conduct, drafted by the European Commission in 2008, is complementary to existing regulations. It provides Member States, employers, research funders, researchers and more generally all individuals and civil society organisations involved or interested in nanosciences and nanotechnologies (N&N) research (“all stakeholders”) with guidelines favouring a responsible and open approach to N&N research in the Community (Commission Recommendation of 07/02/2008). Several Country Reports drafted by the Nanocode project consortium describe the current social context, governance activities, civil society’s involvement, existing nanocodes and stakeholder’s opinions.
The nanocode project is supported by the European Commission through the 7th framework programme.
The full report is available for downloading here.
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