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CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Institute of Physics of Institute

International Year of Physics 2005 Physics of Year International

Assessment

Risk

Research

Animal

65th Birthday 65th

Science

Lib Dem Lib

ARLIAMENT P

S INEIN CIENCE

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SCIENCE IN Science in Parliament has two main objectives: a) to inform the scientific and industrial communities PARLIAMENT of activities within Parliament of a scientific nature The Journal of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee. and of the progress of relevant legislation; The Committee is an Associate Parliamentary Group b) to keep Members of Parliament abreast of members of both Houses of Parliament and British members of the European Parliament, representatives of scientific affairs. of scientific and technical institutions, industrial organisations and universities. Contents Spring 2005 Volume 62 Number 1

Liberal Democrat Science Policy 1 Opinion by Sandra Gidley MP Vision and Strategy for the Medical Research Council 2 Opinion by Professor Colin Blakemore How We Can Save the Planet 3 Opinion by Colin Challen MP Risk Perception & Risk Assessment versus Hazard Reduction 4 Addresses to the P&SC by Alastair Evans, Professor Philip Dale and Dr Chris Elliott In this issue which celebrates Einstein Year as is Standing on the Shoulders of Giants 10 obvious from our front cover sponsored by the Institute of Physics, appropriately Sandra Gidley Addresses to the P&SC by Professor George Smith, launches the Liberal Democrat science policy by Professor Sir David King and Dr Julia King reviewing fundamental problems. She emphasises Animal Contributions to Science and Society 16 the importance of teaching in schools where it is Addresses to the P&SC by Sir John Sulston, claimed girls no longer study A level science. Professor Tipu Aziz and Dr Robert Hubrecht Colin Blakemore translates research outcomes Einstein Year gets off the ground 22 from the MRC for patient benefit. Colin Challen rations carbon emissions to save the planet, Engineering and Physical Sciences for the 21st century 24 followed by the contraction and convergence John O’Reilly proposed by Mayer Hillman. At the Risk meeting, The Innovation Challenge: Lessons from America and the UK 26 Alastair Evans proclaims London as the insurance Dr Charles Wessner and Alan Hughes capital of the world, Philip Dale describes how the biotechnology community handles risk and its Bees on their Knees? 28 perception and Chris Elliott discusses Pamela A Hunter management of system risk. The Committee’s Towards One Institution of Engineers 29 65th Birthday is celebrated with George Smith’s Robert Freer insights on the management of scientific research, David King’s account of climatic impacts on House of Commons Select Committee on Science and Technology 30 government policy and Julia King’s engineered House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee 32 future, where people, especially women, will be Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology 33 featured. At the meeting on animals, John Sulston ranges from Darwin to DNA, Tipu Aziz rejects the House of Commons Library 34 Early Day Motion banning primate research, Letters to the Editor 34 which benefits humans afflicted by Parkinson’s Reports on Meetings 36 and Alzheimer’s disease, and Robert Hubrecht who emphasises the three Rs, especially Debates and Selected Parliamentary Questions and Answers 38 Refinement relating to animal husbandry. John Digest of Parliamentary Debates, Questions and Answers 43 O’Reilly moves to reverse the decline in numbers Euro-News 51 of undergraduates in engineering and physical sciences. Charles Wessner and Alan Hughes European Union Digest 52 compare and contrast UK versus US styles of Science Directory 55 university and industry interaction, and there is Science Diary 64 more, much more. Dr Douglas Naysmith MP Chairman, Editorial Board, Science in Parliament ISSN 0263-6271 Parl MAGAZINE Spring 05 8/3/05 9:02 am Page 3

OPINION

Liberal Democrat Science Policy

Sandra Gidley MP

urrent Liberal Democrat science we will lose further ground. Liberal sector are sensible, since they are policy stems from concerns Democrats believe that the badly targeted and will often simply Cthat over the past hundred Government’s current proposals for replace private sector investment in years Britain has fallen behind tuition fees and top up fees run science, at the taxpayer’s expense. international competitors in some counter to this aim. Many scientists The structure of British R&D is areas of the scientific and industrial are not well paid and the prospect of different from that of our Continental fields. It would be easy to make a future debt means that future careers trading partners. We share a desire to case for more Government investment are chosen with earning power in raise research and development but there are some more fundamental mind. expenditure as a part of GDP but problems which have to be tackled if In the near future Universities will believe that full account should be Science is to become more prominent have to devote a lot of time and taken of the contribution from the in public thinking and regard. attention to the problem of how they private sector, UK multinational The National Curriculum was will fund bursaries. If this burden is companies and our investments introduced in the eighties and for the lifted from them then they will be able overseas especially in the USA. to devote that time and energy to first time ever there was a guarantee In addition to this we need to attracting more funding for research that all children would study science consider whether our current research projects. at school. In a perfect world this priorities are the right ones. Do we should have meant that more children If we are to provide the scientists and have the right balance between would become enthused by science the teachers for the next generation military R&D or should more money and seek a career in one of the science we have to reverse the diminishing be diverted towards civil science and based areas. Sadly, this does not science base in our Universities. It is research? One thing is sure, in line appear to have been the case. of great concern that 79 science and with our “green” credentials we would There needs to be an urgent review of engineering departments have closed want to prioritise research into climate science teaching in schools so that we down over the past six years, at a time change mitigations and cleaner understand why children, particularly when the higher education sector is production and consumption girls, decide not to study science at expanding. techniques. Advanced level. For some children The Liberal Democrats will disband Scientific developments create ethical the reason could be as simple as the DTI but this does not mean challenges for any Government. In choosing “an easier option” but, abolishing all of its functions. Science recent years there have been a number fundamentally, we need to answer the would transfer to a newly reformed of highly emotive issues such as stem basic question, “Is our science Department of Education and Science. cell research and GM crops. There will teaching good enough?” More importantly, the Liberal be more in the future. The media There is some evidence that science Democrats will not cut the existing delights in scaremongering and teaching may not be good enough as level of the science budget. The politicians of all parties have jumped there is a shortage of science teachers contribution made by the DTI will on these bandwagons. The Liberal and a large number of children are grow in real terms by 0.5% each year Democrats would like to see reasoned taught by someone without over the next Parliament. This will debate but on a private level I would appropriate qualifications. The Liberal allow targeted public and private contend that the lack of understanding Democrats have set aside funding to science and innovation spending to be of science in politics and the media ensure that teachers receive regularly and thoroughly monitored fuels this anti-science feeling. I return appropriate training in the subject for best practice. to where I started in this article. There they are teaching. We do not believe that existing are so many reasons why improving Unless our brightest and best young Government plans for large increases science education will reap dividends people opt for science as a career then in science subsidies to the private in the long run.

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OPINION

Vision and Strategy for the Medical Research Council

Professor Colin Blakemore

took over as Chief Executive of will be immense. There is now HIV/AIDS, TB), cancer, mental the MRC in October 2003. At widespread recognition, around the health and understanding health Ithat time, following extensive world, that the coming decade behaviours. consultation, the MRC had recently should see rapid payback to the published a long-term “Vision for public in benefits in health care. How will we know if we are being the Future” (available on the MRC This may be expensive initially – successful? We expect there to be: website). This focused on seven new drugs and treatments often are ● more personalised, safe, effective key drivers: Health priorities; – but costs will come down, and prevention and treatment of disease; Discovery science for health; From health benefits translate into science to health care and public economic benefits longer-term, ● rapid responses to emerging and policy – translational approaches; through less use of services and a unpredictable infectious diseases; Developing the workforce; Public healthier workforce. To achieve ● increased patient and public expectation; Partnership working in these goals, we make a major effort involvement in decision-making in the UK and abroad; and Providing a to strengthen clinical research, health research, with greater focus lead on good governance. These through a partnership between on public preferences and have not changed, and in fact are academia, research funders, the valuations of health outcomes. well reflected in the Government’s NHS and industry. Our approach is Science and Innovation Framework two-fold: to promote strategic However, the size of the impact that which was published in July of last priorities and to seek out and the MRC can make will depend on year. Recently there has been an nurture innovative ideas from the the speed with which we can re- even greater focus on translating the research community itself. direct existing funding and on the outcomes of research for patient volume of additional resources we and population benefit. The key driver for the next decade can secure through SR2004 and for MRC is therefore the desire to future Spending Reviews. I remain The half century since the discovery work with partners to deliver health extremely optimistic for the future of the structure of DNA has seen R&D goals, while maintaining the of medical research in this country. extraordinary advances in basic vitality of the underpinning research There are opportunities to be biomedical science. Much of this and skills base. We will continue to grasped; and researchers are keen to has been at the molecular level, fund the best research with the respond to those opportunities and understanding how molecules are potential to improve human health, to the needs of the country. formed, what their structures are but with the burden of disease and how they interact with each playing an increasing role in other. In the coming decade, this influencing the decisions that the knowledge will be increased, but MRC makes about what research to MRC Mission there will also be a rapid extension support. The research the MRC to a more integrative level: supports will have an increasing ● To encourage and support increasing understanding of how relevance to disease, with a greater high-quality research with the cells, organs and organisms priority given to translational aim of improving human health. function, and the complex processes approaches at the basic/clinical ● underpinning normal growth and interface. While we will make a To produce skilled researchers, development. This work will special effort in the areas identified and to advance and disseminate continue to require the use of by the Department of Health for the knowledge and technology to animals, under the well-regulated UK Clinical Research Network – improve the quality of life and conditions in the UK. In addition diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke economic competitiveness in the we will be extending our work on and medicines for children – we UK. populations and on the social will also continue to support other ● influences on health. The important areas. These include new To promote dialogue with the consequent benefits for the and emerging infections, diseases of public about medical research. understanding of disease processes poverty (especially malaria,

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OPINION

How We Can Save The Planet

Colin Challen MP

aving recently been on a The fairness agenda has to be legislative glimpse of how such a diet, I can attest to the central to tackling global warming – scheme might work. Going back to Hvalidity of the comparison we have to recognise that profligate the analogy with dieting, the Mayer Hillman makes between energy use is a moral issue when concept of controlling one's energy counting the calories and curbing the consequences are so dire for intake is well established, and food carbon emissions in his recently poorer peoples. But how does one products are now sold with an published paperback. Both set about convincing the western abundance of information on the activities demand a personal public that an energy diet is good label to guide the consumer. commitment and an understanding for them? Doesn't such a prospect Dieting clubs like Weightwatchers of the impact of excess spell political suicide? provide easy-to-follow guides to consumption so that individuals can I don't think so. The alternatives help calculate the impact a certain change their behaviour to achieve are all politically worse (if we rule product will have on the waistline. the required objective. Hillman's out the “let's leave this till later” Calories (kcal) are no more book is an excellent place for option). Carbon taxes have been mysterious than kg CO2. individuals to start their quest to mooted, but like all environmental Using the tables in How We Can become responsible environmental taxes are likely to be unpopular. Save The Planet makes it easy to citizens. Understanding the The bitter after taste of the fuel find out how much we each difference we can make is the key to protests, combined with the contribute to global warming. UK success – as long as people do not increasing costs of fossil fuels make households are responsible for over believe that they can personally it difficult to see how any 24mt CO2 equivalent each year. make any difference, it is unlikely government could significantly raise Given that global emissions are said that government targets will be met. duties without a self-defeating to be around 6 billion tonnes – one Ultimately, consumer behaviour will backlash. The voluntary approach tonne for each of us – it is easy to be the final arbiter of whether (eg Defra's “Are You Doing Your Bit” see how disproportionate western greenhouse gas emissions will be campaign) was widely seen to have energy use is. The earth's capacity reduced sufficiently to avert a global failed. Without a critical mass of to absorb greenhouse gases is about climate change catastrophe. Like people participating, others often 3 billion tonnes a year. This is the Hillman, I do not hold the view that lose interest. longest suicide note in history. technological advances on their own will do the trick – indeed, the We are also witnessing a more If we act now, the worsening crisis danger is that the slow development concerted opposition to could be ameliorated if not totally of environmental technologies, such technological solutions such as averted. But some people say it's as hydrogen, merely offer false, wind power, the mainstay of the already too late. Hillman has tried early hopes which lull us into Government's alternative energy to anticipate the arguments of the complacency. Hydrogen is too far policy. It never pays to ignore the fatalists and those who would off to be helpful now. impact that nimbyism has on indulge in displacement activities. demolishing consensus around the But unless we start fleshing out The solution Hillman proposes is to greater good. what we mean by “everybody must ration carbon emissions on a per Carbon rationing, combined with a do something” it will be very capita basis, and for those rations to difficult indeed to take any more submit to the rule of contraction and trading scheme, provides a way forward. Indeed, the Government political speeches on the convergence, so that emissions are environment very seriously. How reduced year on year, and eventually and the European Union have long accepted that carbon emissions We Can Save The Planet should at for each individual around the globe, the very least be mandatory reading converge at the same sustainable trading schemes work, and the roll- out of the EU ETS in January is for all those who write such level. Such a proposal is socially as speeches. well as environmentally just, being testament to that. predicated on the irrefutable logic Would an ETS for the general Reference that no human is born with a greater public work? I don't see any reason How We Can Save the Planet, Mayer entitlement to pollute than any other, why not, and my ten minute rule Hillman with Tina Fawcett, Penguin whether or not they can afford an bill on domestic tradable quotas is Books, 2004, 195p, ISBN 0-141- SUV. the first attempt to provide a 01692-2, £7.99 (PB)

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RISK PERCEPTION & RISK ASSESSMENT VERSUS HAZARD REDUCTION INSURANCE - BIOTECHNOLOGY – ENGINEERING - TRANSPORT MEETING OF THE PARLIAMENTARY AND SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ON MONDAY 25TH OCTOBER 2004 Risks and hazards are objective factors with potential impacts that are amenable to scientific evaluation and their controlled reduction. The perception of risk on the other hand is subjective and reflects a fear of risk that varies between individuals. Government is a risky business, but how can the objective and subjective aspects of risk be managed together in order to benefit from our past mistakes “so that they never happen again”? Alastair Evans describes how London underpins the world’s economy by managing financial aspects of risk. Phil Dale has extensive experience as a research scientist of risk assessment applied to GM crops and contributes his experience with biosafety issues. Chris Elliott combines practical engineering skills with those of a barrister having experience of advising Government on risk with a particular interest in transportation by rail. London: the Insurance Capital of the World?

Alastair Evans, Head of Government Affairs, Lloyd’s

The London Market The London Market writes more Lloyd’s The UK insurance industry is the than £25 billion2 of non-life Lloyd’s is the world’s leading third largest in the world, following business annually and is particularly specialist insurance/reinsurance the US and Japan. It writes about significant in certain areas of market. It is home to 44 Managing £160 billion premium income business where its expertise helps to Agents who run 62 separate annually1. The risks insured and secure substantial percentages of the underwriting businesses known as reinsured range from life insurance world’s insurance business as syndicates who write almost £14 to motor and household risks and indicated below: billion4 worth of premiums with an extend to complex commercial and ● 60%+ of offshore oil and gas unrivalled concentration of multinational risks. risks underwriting expertise and talent. The London Market is an integral It is also a global trader and writes ● 39% of the world’s aviation business from over 100 countries5. part of the UK insurance industry. business It comprises Lloyd’s, insurance and The risks underwritten are therefore reinsurance companies, marine ● 19% of the world’s marine geographically diverse. The major Protection and Indemnity Clubs and business markets are the US, UK and EU. insurance brokers, almost all of ● Lloyd’s has a reputation as an 15% of worldwide innovative market trusted to insure which are located in the City of reinsurance, and London. It provides a wealth of the world’s toughest and most concentrated insurance expertise ● 10-15% of large industrial complex risks. It is financially and an economic cluster of insurance business strong and secure and has an interrelated services. worldwide.3 unrivalled track record for paying valid claims. It is the second largest It is the world’s leading market for London faces strong competition in the general insurance and commercial lines insurer and the internationally traded non-life sixth largest reinsurer in the world6. insurance and reinsurance. The reinsurance markets. However, it risks written by the market are remains our belief that London can The market has changed from one diverse and typically include accurately be described as the backed wholly by private capital to marine, aviation and transport risks, insurance capital of the world. We a much more diversely financed major property and complex recognise that London’s ability to market and from a self-regulated liability risks as well as coverage of retain this position is conditional on market to being regulated by the catastrophes. London provides a demonstrating innovation, with an FSA. Annual accounting has marketplace for high exposure and appetite for risk, highly efficient replaced three year accounting. Co- complex risks which local markets business processes and operative programmes have been are unable to absorb. competitively priced products. launched to address business issues

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such as faster production of order of £1.3 billion9. Following yet more complex in the case of policies, quicker movement of the 11 September attacks, the new and emerging risks. Insurers monies and greater contract number of insurance and need to try to keep themselves certainty at inception. A new reinsurance policies triggered abreast of scientific developments if governance structure has also been worldwide ranged from aviation they are to avoid underwriting created around a franchise concept through to property, life and misjudgements with potentially to improve market performance and business interruption. Lloyd’s expensive consequences. brand leverage. underwriters are meeting claims to the value of approximately £2 These judgments have to be As a result Lloyd’s rating has billion for that day. exercised against an evolving claims increased when many others have background which some declined. The market has returned Because insurers accept risk, they commentators have described as a to profitable trading post 11 have to ensure that this exposure is growing “compensation culture”. September. Lloyd’s delivered strong within their financial forecasts and Opinions differ as to whether a financial results in 2002 and 2003, financial capacity. Doomsday compensation culture really exists generating profits of £834m and of scenarios have to be anticipated and or whether it is simply a media-led £1,829m respectively on a pro- reflected in financial modelling. At campaign. For insurers, the key is forma annual accounted basis. This the core of Lloyd’s own risk not newspaper headlines but has strengthened the market’s management process lie certain whether the frequency and severity capital base. Its net resources (the Realistic Disaster Scenarios that are of claims is or is not increasing or Lloyd’s equivalent of shareholder designed to enable Lloyd’s to may increase in the future, since the funds/stockholder equity) totalled forecast what the market’s potential cost of claims has to be reflected in £10.1bn at year end 2003, a 35% financial exposure to catastrophic prices. Actuaries have said that the increase on 20027. Lloyd’s central events might be, in the aggregate compensation culture is costing UK assets have also grown following a and at individual business level. plc about £10 billion a year – and 11 recent £500 million subordinated There are 17 scenarios on which rising at 15% per annum . The debt issue. Lloyd’s has now Lloyd’s syndicates are required to average cost of an employers’ achieved its target of central assets report. Some of these envisage total liability claim has increased by over exceeding $1bn, which was set after 100% over the last five years12. 8 losses to the insurance industry of September 11 and it can be said up to $70billion10. These include: Clinical negligence which cost the with confidence that Lloyd’s has NHS £6 million in 1975, cost nearly become a success story again. ● US windstorms half a billion by 200213. ● Marine events Compensation and legal costs have Insurance and Risk ● risen to £100 million in the Loss of a major complex in 14 Insurance offers an intangible the North Sea Ministry of Defence . Society product, a promise to pay in the ● Aviation collisions (whether via Parliament or the event of occurrence of an event courts) has, and should have, the specified within the insurance ● Liability risks right to decide that compensation contract that causes loss. Risk can ● Political risks should be awarded in a particular range from the more mundane, ● Earthquakes in the US and set of risk circumstances and those though important, everyday risks to Japan costs have to be sourced. Insurance individuals’ property and wellbeing, ● Terrorism events provides a crucial mechanism in to catastrophic risks, which can be The results are used in business modern society for helping to both natural and man-made. planning, as input to Lloyd’s risk ensure that victims are properly Insurance provides a risk transfer based capital modelling and to compensated. mechanism through which an enable syndicates to benchmark Conclusion individual or company can protect themselves against their market itself against future misfortune by We believe that London remains the peers. It is all part of prudent insurance capital of the world. This transferring the financial downside planning. inherent in risk and uncertainty to a belief is not advanced with any professional insurer. Long-tail risks pose particular sense of hubris. Competition is challenges to insurers. Exposure by fierce in the global insurance and Insurance works on mathematical individuals to certain environments reinsurance industry and that principles. Insurers build up (eg noise, asbestos etc) can cause position will only be maintained by statistical records on the severity latent problems which do not continual modernisation and being and frequency of particular risks manifest themselves, perhaps for at the top of our game. The which assist them in setting an decades. Victims seek legal challenge which London faces is to appropriate price. They pool the recourse against those who owed continue to provide cost-effective, insurance premiums of the many to them a duty of care and were innovative solutions to the world’s pay the losses of the few. To be negligent. The underwriting of voracious demand for risk transfer. insurable, risks need to satisfy long-tail liability risks has to cope certain criteria: they must be with such challenges. Insurers 1 IFSL, City Business Series, 2004, Insurance (p3) 2 IFSL, City Business Series, 2004, Insurance (p15) fortuitous (ie not certain to accept and price risks against a 3 All percentages from: IFSL, City Business Series, happen), be financially measurable, known legal and scientific 2004, Insurance (p19) satisfy a test of insurable interest, 4 Lloyd’s Worldwide Markets, 2004 background but may face claims, 5 Lloyd’s Worldwide Markets, 2004 and be compatible with public which dwarf the level of premiums 6 S&P Global reinsurance Highlights, 2004 policy. 7 Lloyd’s Finance Department, April 2004 received, decades later in a very 8 Lloyd’s Finance Department, April 2004 changed legal and scientific 9 Lloyd’s Risk Management, 2004 The acceptance of risk can expose 10 environment. This is not said as a Lloyd’s Loss Modelling, 2004. the insurance industry to severe 11Actuaries’ Working Party report “The Cost of financial claims. Whilst the cost to complaint. It is a fact of Compensation Culture”, reported on underwriting life which the industry www.thenetrisk.com 17/12/02 the whole industry of the recent 12Association of British Insurers, “Liability Insurance”, East Coast US hurricanes is still accepts and copes with. August 2002 13“Making Amends”, Chief Medical Officer, June 2003 being calculated, Lloyd’s estimates The challenge for insurers in 14NAO Report “Ministry of Defence- Compensation its own exposure as being of the assessing and pricing risk becomes Claims”,18 July 2003

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RISK PERCEPTION & RISK ASSESSMENT VERSUS HAZARD REDUCTION INSURANCE - BIOTECHNOLOGY – ENGINEERING - TRANSPORT

Biosafety of GM Crops: How the biotechnology community handles risk and its perception

Philip J Dale, John Innes Centre, Norwich

Introduction Risk Assessment Over 70% of the UK land area is Over the past 20 years it has In assessing risk we address a series farmed in some way, so agriculture become possible for plant of questions. In some cases largely defines our landscape and biologists to isolate genetic sufficient scientific knowledge and rural environment. material (DNA) from a range of experience is available to answer organisms to genetically modify them. In others, new scientific data In assessing the risk of GM crops, (GM) crops. GM methods provide has to be generated. Some key the EU regulatory process requires a plant biologists with opportunities questions in risk assessment are: comparison with similar non-GM to modify crops in novel ways. It crops. The difficulty with this is ● is important, for instance, that we How does the introduced gene that different crops (oilseed rape, find sustainable crop based modify the crop? maize, sugar beet) themselves can substitutes for our diminishing oil ● Are there changes in toxicity or have fundamentally different and mineral reserves, and explore allergenicity? impacts, as was illustrated by the ways to produce crops adapted to four year Farm Scale Evaluations ● Is the crop more invasive or changing climatic conditions. GM (FSEs). crops are cultivated in 18 countries persistent (weedy)? by 7 million farmers and ● Are there effects on friendly The aim of the FSEs was to assess worldwide cover over twice the organisms (eg ladybirds)? the impact on farmland wildlife of land area of the UK (67.7 million ● What is the likelihood and three GM crops (oilseed rape, hectares in 2003). consequence of pollination? maize, sugar beet), each made Highly developed methods of risk tolerant to one particular herbicide assessment have evolved in recent The general consensus within the to improve crop weed control. The years to assess the safety of GM scientific community is that there is comparator of impact (or the crops, and this is one of the few no generic difference between the “yardstick” of acceptability) for each areas of scientific innovation risks of growing GM and non-GM GM crop was a non-GM variety of where the process of risk crops. Each GM crop must be the same crop. The results of the assessment is carried out evaluated case by case. paired comparisons were that the proactively, rather than reactively. GM maize was found to be Proactive risk assessment has Risk acceptability associated with more wildlife many merits, but it does tend to What “yardstick” do we use to compared with the non-GM variety, focus disproportionate attention on determine whether an impact is and the GM oilseed rape (spring risk, and frequently ignores benefit. acceptable or not? A view out of an sown) and sugar beet were found to I shall discuss three topics aeroplane window confirms that be associated with a reduction in associated with risk: its assessment, agriculture has a dramatic impact wildlife compared with the non-GM acceptability and perception. I on our rural landscape, compared varieties. Decisions on shall conclude with thoughts on with how it must have looked a commercialisation were based other dimensions of risk. hundred or even twenty years ago. largely on these direct comparisons.

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A fundamental weakness of area of risk perception to be transparency of their risk comparisons of this type is that they difficult territory. This is because assessments. As a consequence, the the rules of engagement between fail properly to take a holistic view activist groups are provided with the various interest groups are very of the impact of agriculture on the information they need to different. wildlife. The FSEs established that destroy GM field plots. Largely as a there were significant variations The biotechnology community result of GM crop destruction, the between crops (whether GM or largely uses scientific evidence and number of GM field trials in the UK non-GM) on wildlife. Oilseed rape reasoning to reach a conclusion in has reduced to almost zero in recent is generally better for wildlife than risk assessment. Where there is years. maize. There were also significant inadequate knowledge, they explore differences in wildlife between ways of managing risk. This is not As the UK aspires to have an locations and seasons. The to say that value judgements are not innovative science and technology outcome of the decision made on part of this process, but they are based economy, the consequences to commercialisation was that there usually within a particular scientific research of crop vandalism are was no regulatory mechanism to and agricultural context. serious and could be devastating in limit the continuous cultivation of the longer term for the following The campaigning groups, and non-GM maize (damaging to reasons. sections of the campaigning press, wildlife) but it would prevent the typically use a different currency. In cultivation of a GM oilseed rape (a) An important role of field basic terms, their concerns focus break-crop (beneficial to wildlife). research with GM plants is to around who has power over food The results also fail adequately to provide an analytical tool to and the environment. The GM emphasise that any method of understand important crop Nation report acknowledges that efficient weed control in crops (hoe, characters (eg environmental GM crops have become an icon for flame thrower, mechanical a range of concerns. Issues raised stress tolerance; pest & disease cultivation) is also likely to have a in the debates included: resistance; oil, starch and protein significant negative impact on globalisation, the influence of big production). Basic knowledge in wildlife in agriculture because business, industrialisation of plant biology is relevant to all weeds often provide nourishment agriculture, trust in government and methods of crop improvement. for wildlife food chains. a range of environmental issues. This emphasises the need to refine Discussions that begin with GM (b) The major crop biotechnology the precise objective of risk crops often move rapidly to broader companies have decided to move assessment. Its ultimate aim is issues of power. their GM research and surely to minimise any adverse development programmes out of A particular difficulty with risk impacts of GM crops on the the UK eg Bayer Crop Science, perception is that people rarely environment. But this only makes Syngenta. One Chief Executive weigh information symmetrically. A sense when it is done in concert told me that if biotechnology with (ie against a common grain of doubt can far outweigh a mountain of reassuring evidence. companies have to move their yardstick) comparable judgments field crop evaluation out of the applied to damaging non-GM crops This is so even when there is no UK, it is logical to move their and existing farming practices. scientific evidence to support a concern. During recent years there research programmes abroad also A further anomaly is that certain have been extensive campaigns (mostly to the USA). crop modifications are possible by against GM crops by sections of the Biotechnology companies take GM and non-GM methods (eg press and activist groups. Once a with them an extensive glyphosate herbicide tolerant campaign is adopted it seems that knowledge base and infrastructure ryegrass). A GM glyphosate tolerant balance and integrity of information for all aspects of crop biology. ryegrass would be unlikely to be is often a casualty. While mistakes approved by the current GM have undoubtedly been made in The ability to do GM field research regulatory process; whereas a non- GM crop commercialisation, is of enormous significance to our GM herbicide tolerant ryegrass, biotechnology companies face crop research capability in the UK, with closely comparable litigation if they make false claims and has parallels with the environmental impacts, would for their products, whereas false importance of stem cell research in proceed into agricultural use allegations of risk carry no such medical science. If strategic and without comparable regulation. penalty. applied research involving GM field Risk perception Other dimensions of risk evaluation is denied, the UK is It is fair to say that the The biotechnology community faces destined to become a backwater in biotechnology community finds the ongoing demands for greater public innovative crop biology.

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RISK PERCEPTION & RISK ASSESSMENT VERSUS HAZARD REDUCTION INSURANCE - BIOTECHNOLOGY – ENGINEERING - TRANSPORT The management of system risk: Safety and environmental risk in engineering and transport

Dr Chris Elliott FREng, Pitchill Consulting Ltd

What is risk? Many engineering and transport estimate how much it is willing to risks are like that – I want to pay to avoid a risk. When deciding Ever since a caveman decided to explore how a responsible and whether to adopt a safety measure bring fire into the cave, we’ve been ethical engineer meets social or to permit an activity, we work living with risk. That caveman demands when he knows, at least out how much it will cost or save knew that fire was dangerous, but statistically, that what he is doing and how much risk it will cause or he decided that the benefits of a will injure or kill people or harm remove. We can then estimate the warm home and cooked food more the environment. cost-effectiveness – how much than compensated for the risk that The legal and ethical duty safety we will buy per pound that his home might catch fire. Since we spend. The National Institute then, it is hard to think of any There are two principles: for Clinical Excellence does this for beneficial innovation, social or ● risk is the responsibility of the medical treatments and ranks them technical, that didn’t bring with it person who creates it - “…it in order of cost-effectiveness. The the possibility of harm. shall be the duty of every budget for the NHS then determines It is helpful to distinguish hazard employer…”, Health and how far we can go down this list (anything that can cause harm) and Safety at Work Act 1974, before the money runs out. The risk (the chance that a hazard will Polluter Pays Principle, Art Department for Transport publishes cause harm, and the extent of that 130R(2) EC Treaty an annual figure for the Value of harm). The objective is then to Preventing a Fatality (VPF). We can ● risk cannot be eliminated - manage the risk, not to eliminate compare this with the cost of a “As Low As is Reasonably the hazard. The caveman knew that safety measure in terms of Cost per Practicable” (ALARP), “Best fire was a hazard, but he realised Fatality Avoided (CPF). Available Technology Not that, if he kept it in the hearth and Entailing Excessive Cost” made his children stand back, the This hard-nosed economic approach (BATNEEC). risk was low enough to be worth puts an important demand on taking in order to have a warm But what does “reasonable” mean? engineers. We have no right to cave. It’s a common word in our law. You plead that a safety measure is not may use reasonable force in self- cost-effective unless we are A serious ethical challenge arises defence or to evict a trespasser, and confident that our costs are under where individuals cannot decide for you are not negligent if you use control. We should not rule out a themselves whether to take a risk, reasonable skill. What is reasonable safety measure as too expensive if either because they do not have at any time is what society believes its high cost is a result of our sufficient information or because to be reasonable, but there are very incompetence. they do not have sufficient control. few rulings by Courts that provide This is made even harder when the But we don’t let this hard-nosed much guidance on where to draw benefits and potential harm do not economic approach be the only the line between reasonable and fall to the same people, especially if thing that determines what we will unreasonable. the benefits occur now and the permit or forbid. We recognise that potential harm is to future One way of expressing society’s society cares more about some generations. view of what is reasonable is to kinds of risk than others, and that

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we must reflect what public opinion embodies a wide range of interest, of course, specifications are rarely demands. That then begs the pressure groups and extra- perfect (especially when there’s question – how do we determine parliamentary political processes software involved). This is the area what public opinion demands? and the responsible engineer has to where engineers’ approaches to risk engage with all of them to gain and are weakest, and where caution and Where do we find representative retain his informal licence to hazard management may take public opinion? Certainly not in operate. If he does that, he can do precedence over risk assessment. the news media. Even the what society demands, which is to System risk is compounded when broadsheet newspapers present at provide the proper balance of safety, the different parts of the system are best an incomplete view of risk, and cost and performance in many cases they actively distort under different ownership or the truth to print an eye-catching Back to systems management, such as in transport. story. Railways have been grossly My definition of a system is “a set of The fundamental principle of misrepresented – the number of parts that, when brought together, holding the risk’s creator fatal train accidents and the number exhibit properties that were not present responsible means nothing, because of passengers killed were both fewer in the parts alone”. Those properties, no one person did create it. If the after privatisation than before. The including risk or safety, cannot be interface specification is not perfect, nuclear power industry struggles managed by managing the parts we may find that some risk has two against a perception that it is more alone; you have to manage them as owners, who may not agree on how dangerous than “safe” coal or gas a system. This raises two important to manage it, and there may be power, and parents wrestle with the risk management issues: how to orphan risk with no owner. Who belief that paedophiles lurk around apportion risk between the parts then is responsible? every corner. and what about risk that emerges from the interactions of the parts? As a result, people simultaneously In conclusion hold two views. They believe that We can apportion risk – the total We have a well-defined approach to the train or food is safe enough and risk arising from a system can be managing safety and environmental nothing more should be spent on shared out, so that each part has to risks, but two challenges remain. safety, but that it is outrageous that present no more than its share of The first is to find a clearer way to accidents are allowed to occur and the total. A proper risk-based judge what society demands of duty the Directors of the companies process can lead to the conclusion holders, in a climate of rational responsible should be punished. that it is not necessary to take any debate. The second concerns What should the responsible further action to mitigate the risk. fragmented systems, where concepts engineer do now? Should he lower The hazard is still there, but the risk like duty holding and the Polluter an already low risk because people is properly controlled. That sort of Pays Principle start to break down. are outraged, taking resources away process is the most robust defence Then the companies that make up from other more serious causes of against against knee-jerk reactions an industry must work together to harm, or should he deal directly and misrepresentation. find solutions that address the with the feeling of outrage? The whole problem and produce the But what happens when the risk second approach brings him into optimum outcome for the industry arises solely from the interaction of the territory of Corporate Social as a whole. the parts of the system. You can’t Responsibility. then apportion the risk to each part Safety-critical industries can rise to The traditional view of social – it makes no more sense than to these challenges – they do not want responsibility was that people vote try to describe the sound of one the alternative of more State for Parliament and Parliament, hand clapping. Instead, we try to intervention – but they need a through legislation and Ministerial define what each part will do constructive dialogue with oversight, reflects their views. That rigorously so that their interactions Government, Parliament, Regulators is no longer enough. Civil society are wholly predictable. In practice, and wider civil society.

In discussion the following points were made: How does the London insurance market keep ahead of science? This is appraised in a variety of different ways by insurers and scientists, however it is the assessment of premiums that matters when considering the likelihood and severity of claims. This is complicated by new and emerging risks such as ecological damage, for example, where there is no jurisprudence at present, requiring a guarded approach. There is a problem trying to weigh up different types of evidence when assessing risk. Science is very complex and although consensus may be obtained, there is constant risk of disputes and outrage fuelled by the media who need to learn how science works. Hence there is also a risk of accusing the media of causing a problem, when this is actually due to mismanagement, requiring better self regulation. Outrage arises from lack of early public interaction on decisions perceived to carry risk. Factors for consideration include the identification of any beneficiaries of risk, if taken; the extent of risk to workers and the public, the identification of those responsible, and risk-benefit analysis. Is there any benefit from GM crops for example to the customer in the supermarket? There needs to be a clear benefit that the consumer or a “representative person” could identify with if the risk is to be considered acceptable. This need also arises when training engineers to understand the public where emotion may predominate over rational discussion, resulting in an ongoing requirement to bridge the gap between CP Snow’s two cultures. Would the motorcar ever have been developed if the risks had been properly assessed?

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STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS (Sir Isaac Newton 1676) MEETING OF THE PARLIAMENTARY AND SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ON MONDAY 15TH NOVEMBER 2004 Gordon Brown’s canny science investment helps the UK Ltd’s innovative industries retain world class status and attract school leavers considering science and technology. The money is now in place but what do the the UK Scientific and Engineering Community intend to do about it? Our 65th birthday provides an opportunity to consider the drivers and future direction of UK Science and Engineering. We need to lay out our objectives and begin to allocate the new resources created by the Chancellor’s investment if it is not to be squandered on increased bureaucracy. The Parliamentary and Scientific Committee provides a successful and dynamic model for bringing science and politics together in a Parliamentary context. George Smith presents his view of the challenges facing the exciting, unpredictable and largely undiscovered potential of the materials world. David King considers Global Change is more important than Terrorism and provides insights into how this affects policy and scientific investment. Julia King lays out her strategy at Imperial College where she directs 10 world class Engineering Departments.

A Personal Perspective on UK Scientific Research

Professor George Smith Head, Department of Materials, Oxford University, and Chairman, Polaron plc.

Summary atomic nucleus; vaccination, level, things look pretty healthy. In the past Britain held a pre- antibiotics, and the structure of The proportion of the world's eminent position in many areas of DNA. In the area of invention, scientific papers written by British science. Present achievement is British ingenuity led to the steam scientists is high in relation to our more pedestrian, especially in the engine, locomotives, railways, total number of scientists, our Physical Sciences and Engineering. electric motors and generators, bulk citation levels are ranked second There are clouds hanging over the steel production, the modern only to the USA, and our scientific future, because of the inherently bicycle, television, radar, the jet “value for money”, in terms of the conservative nature of the current engine, hovercraft, the pocket cost to the nation of each paper that peer review process for research calculator, and a host of new is produced, is arguably the best in proposals, and the ever-increasing materials including Portland the world. But are these the right micro-management and regulation cement, stainless steel, superalloys, measures? What about the episodes imposed by Government. polythene, polyester, carbon fibres, of real genius, the inspired Paradoxically, as the degree of and liquid crystals. Britain was also achievements that set the world control has increased, the output responsible for the world's first alight? At this top end of the range, performance of scientists at the very electrical power station, the first I believe we have more reason to be civil nuclear reactor, the first jet highest level appears to have concerned. A German academic, passenger aircraft, the first declined. Wolfgang Schoellhammer, carries supersonic passenger jet, useful out a regular survey of Nobel Prize There is no doubt that British devices such as traffic lights, cats’ science and technology has a eyes, flush toilets – and even Viagra! awards, analysing them by the glorious past. Basic scientific institution and country of the discoveries include the laws of So what about the present state of winners. His most recent (2003) gravity, motion, electromagnetism; our scientific achievements? It data on the proportion of prizes elementary particles such as the depends on what you measure, and awarded to British scientists is electron, proton and neutron; the how you measure it. At a routine summarised here.

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UK Nobel Prizes to develop their most adventurous (Lord May, President of the Royal and speculative ideas, sometimes Society, interviewed by The Guardian, Percentages of prizes awarded to UK over decades, and they handsomely 20 July 2004) scientists repaid the confidence that had been In parallel with the introduction of 1901-2002 1978-2002 1988-2002 placed in them. They changed the FEC for universities, we are All categories % 15% 8% 7% world, and laid the foundations of witnessing the development of a set Chemistry 18% 10% 6% molecular biology and medicine. of Public Service Agreement (PSA) Physics 13% 2% 0 My concerns about the loss of target metrics for the UK research Physiol/Medicine 15% 14% 15% adventure in British scientific base. These will particularly affect research are shared by others, for the Research Councils. So far, the Source: Wolfgang Schoellhammer, example Don Braben, former reaction from the academic world Nobel Prize Survey 2003 director of BP Venture Research: has been remarkably subdued, but In Physiology and Medicine, we are “Until the 1970s a scientist with a here are a few of the more maintaining an excellent record, but radically new idea could scrape outspoken comments, which in Chemistry the performance has together enough funds to explore its highlight the threat posed to slipped. In Physics, the decline has potential. That’s not possible today. adventure in research: been steeper, redeemed slightly by Researchers must now convince a “There are some worrying aspects. the award of the 2004 Physics prize committee before they can do For example, the section on to expatriate Anthony Leggett, of the anything. Scientists are losing the managing the research base calls for University of Illinois. freedom to be impartial. Originality an ‘integrated and efficient The figures in the table are and adventurous research are performance management system’. expressed as percentages, but if discouraged because committees This may sound rather exciting to absolute numbers of prizes are can’t be imaginative. We have more whoever wrote it, but it will make counted, a more disturbing picture scientists today than ever before, but the room suddenly feel very cold to emerges. Five of the seven prizes in they must concentrate on refining those creative researchers who Chemistry and Physiology/Medicine existing knowledge. It’s easier to thought the research councils were that were won by British researchers assess performance that way.” supposed to be dedicated to funding during the period 1988-2002 were (Don Braben, Materials Today, October exciting scientific proposals.” attributable to a single institution, 2004.) (Peter Cotgreave, Director, Save British the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Science, quoted in THES, 16 July 2004) Biology, in Cambridge. If this The moves towards increased remarkable institution is removed regulation and control of British “It is impossible to see how the from the data, then the overall science began in earnest in the research councils will want to support number of awards to the rest of the 1980's with the introduction of the anything but safe, well-tried areas of UK looks thin indeed. concept of Research Selectivity, work with guaranteed outcomes.” Why did the MRC laboratory which tended to hit particularly (Ian Haines, chair of the UK Deans of perform so well, while the rest of hard those universities which Science Committee THES, November the country has trailed? Obviously, worked most closely with industry. 12 2004) the ability to attract world-class There followed a torrent of rules and “What is the problem that this is minds has been crucial. But I regulations, onerous inspections of supposed to be solving?” believe that part of the answer also so-called “teaching quality” (which really only checked that all the (Paul Cottrell, assistant general secretary lies in the organisation and funding of the AUT, THES, November 12 2004) of the institution. Recent accounts forms were filled in correctly), and of the life and work of the legendary the full-blown Research Assessment Britain now has the most over- director of the laboratory, Max Exercises that have taken up so regulated, controlled and micro- Perutz (1914-2002) have shed new much of our time and effort in managed scientific community light on this. By a mixture of luck recent years. Now Full Economic anywhere in the developed world. and judgement, all efforts to Costing (FEC) is due to be rolled Ironically, the increase in control has integrate the laboratory fully into out from October 2005. The been matched by a progressive the departmental structure of provisional guidance and instruction decrease in Britain's scientific Cambridge University failed. It was documents for FEC already extend success at the very highest levels. therefore largely immune from the to more than 800 pages, and These two things are surely vagaries of the Research Assessment threaten to overwhelm an already connected. Let the final word on Exercise (RAE), the need to write overburdened University system. risk and creativity in research go to endless short-term, responsive mode “Career civil servants, who know Bill Gates, businessman and wealth- research proposals for approval by very little of the world they are creator par excellence: Research Council Committees, and looking at, have produced a set of “If all your projects succeed, you all the other multifarous (and rules which are little short of lunatic have failed.” nefarious!) reviews and audits to in their notion that that which in which the UK academic community the States is recognised as a time- (Bill Gates, briefing the first Director of is now subjected with increasing consuming, difficult attribution of the Microsoft Laboratory in frequency and intensity. The MRC costs at the level of institution, Cambridge, UK) laboratory had bold, long-term should here be done at the level of So let us try to restore the spirit of objectives. Highly creative each grant. Kafka couldn’t have risk and adventure to British individuals were given the freedom dreamed this up!” research before it is too late.

Note: The opinions expressed in this article are, unless otherwise stated, purely those of the author, and do not represent the official views of any organisation to which he is affiliated.

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STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS (Sir Isaac Newton 1676)

Impacts of a Changing Climate on Government Policy

Professor Sir David King, Chief Scientific Adviser

see climate change as the ever recorded in Britain occurred Association of British Insurers greatest challenge facing 10 August 2003, when the noted that in 2000 the UK IBritain and the World in the temperature reached 38.1 deg C experienced its wettest autumn 21st century. In a speech given (over 100ºF) in Gravesend. The for almost 300 years, with heavy by the Prime Minister on 14 heat-wave also affected much of rainfall leading to damage to September 20041, he called Europe and caused some 30,000 10,000 properties and nearly £1 climate change the world's premature deaths. And had an billion in insurance claims. greatest environmental estimated direct economic cost challenge. of $13.5bn2, making it the worst Claims for storms and flood natural disaster in Europe for 50 damages in the UK have The weight of evidence for years. The heat wave was doubled to over £6 billion over climate change, and the causal particularly severe in France the period 1998-2003, link with greenhouse gas leading to some 15,000 compared to the previous five emissions, most notably carbon premature deaths. A recent years, with a prospect of a dioxide, is in my view now study published in the journal further tripling by 2050. It is unarguable. The evidence Nature, by the Hadley Centre3 too early to link such events comes on many fronts: melting demonstrates that it is very unequivocally to climate change icesheets, receding glaciers, and likely that increased but they are an early warning for increased and more frequent concentrations of greenhouse what we might expect. flooding to cite just a few. Over gases in the atmosphere, due to the past century the global human activity, have more than The Third Assessment Report climate has warmed by an doubled the risk of occurrence from the Intergovernmental average of 0.6C, with much of of a hot European summer like Panel on Climate Change this seen over the past 30 years. that of 2003, and statistical (IPCC)4 concluded that “most of The science is clear that this rise analyses from the study show, the warming observed over the in temperatures will continue with 90% certainty, that roughly last 50 years is likely to have and will accelerate, leading to a half of the severity of this been due to increasing rise in the range of 1.4C to extremely hot summer can be concentrations of man made almost 6C by 2100. At the same attributed to global warming. greenhouse gases”. time, global average sea levels are also predicted to rise, by More extreme rainfalls are also Carbon dioxide levels are between 9 to 88 cm by 2100. expected to be a feature of approaching 380 parts per climate change. The impacts of million (ppm), a concentration Recent experience in the UK and these could be significant. In in the atmosphere not seen for at the rest of Europe shows that 2002, the severe floods in least 740,000 years and quite extreme events can have Europe caused 37 deaths and possibly for about 55 million significant human and economic had an estimated direct cost of years5. The current level is costs. In the UK, the hottest day $16bn. A recent report from the already well beyond that seen in

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the atmosphere during Earth’s changes in the climate which are warming – by some 60% by “warm periods” between ice now unavoidable. Effective about 2050, with real progress ages, and is consistent with the action demands international by 2020; to maintain the Earth’s “hot periods”, such as agreement on processes, which reliability of energy supplies; to around 60 million years ago engages the world community in promote competitive markets in when all ice on the planet tackling what is a truly global the UK and beyond, helping to melted and when mammals problem. raise the rate of sustainable would have found Antarctica economic growth and to one of the most comfortable So where do we start? In 2002 I improve our productivity; and to places to live. commissioned my Foresight ensure that every home is team in the Office of Science and adequately and affordably According to a NASA study, the Technology, together with over heated. Greenland ice sheet was 90 experts, to look at the threat retreating at a rate of around one of increased flooding and Although a 60% reduction in metre a year in 2001. The latest coastline vulnerabilities that we CO2 emissions seems an study indicates its moving back are likely to face from climate ambitious target, we have at about ten metres per annum. change. The group concluded already put in place measures If the Greenland ice sheet were that, in the highest emission that should help us achieve it; to melt, the sea level would rise scenario, by 2080, flood levels the first one is simply by by between six and seven that are expected to occur once improving energy efficiency – a metres. That would create a in 100 years could well be win-win situation. major problem for cities like occurring every 3 years. This is London, New York and all other an example of adaptation The Government is also cities located by the coast. This activity. investing in developing new issue was explored at length in energy technologies that can my recent Foresight report into To mitigate against the long term climate change, various global replace fossil fuels. The limits of flood and coastal defence providing energy from low management for the UK. levels of action are required. First of all, the Kyoto Protocol, carbon sources are endless but More intense rainfall events are which was ratified by Russia in we should not second guess expected to be a feature of December, will come into force which new technologies to climate change. If we do not on February 16. Although I am chase. Rather we must set up prepare for these, the impacts pleased to see it come into force the right economic framework could be significant. We already it is just the start of a process and let the marketplace choose know the power and devastation and will need to be ratcheted up the right mix. that can be unleashed on our so that we can really bring communities through extreme emissions under control. It is At the start of this year the weather events, such as the important that in the extension Government took over the flooding in Boscastle in of the process the USA, presidency of the G8 and the Cornwall, Londonderry in Australia, India, China and Prime Minister has declared that Northern Ireland, and most Brazil are brought on board. climate change is one of just two recently Carlisle. priorities. The aim is to build Ratification of the Kyoto on the already growing Although some climate change protocol presents a raft of consensus amongst governments can always be attributed to business opportunities in around the world and promote natural cycles in the earth’s sustainable growth and an more vigorous action. Quite climate system it would be unprecedented opportunity to simply climate change is real impossible to explain the general accelerate the move to a low and needs global action. Action trend over the last century carbon economy. It will also is, and will be, affordable. without increasing human provide a platform for the UK Inaction won’t. induced effects, due largely to and EU to lead by example. fossil fuel usage and In 2003 the UK Government 1 http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/page6333.asp deforestation. 2 UNEP/DEWA~Europe, 2004, "Impacts of summer published an Energy White 2003 heat wave in Europe", Early Warning on Emerging Environmental Threats 2, The international community Paper. Four goals for our energy http://www.grid.unep.ch/product/publication/ earlywarning.php must now make a concerted policy are laid out to put 3 Human contribution to the European heatwave of effort to limit the extent of ourselves on a path to cut the 2003, Peter A. Stott, D. A. Stone & M. R. Allen, Nature 432, 610–614 (2004); global warming on the one UK’s carbon dioxide emissions – 4 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: http://www.ipcc.ch hand, and adapt to those the main contributor to global 5 J F McManus, Nature 429 (2004), 611

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STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS (Sir Isaac Newton 1676)

Engineering the Future

Dr Julia King Principal, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London

Introduction: engineering is where over half the population is was keen to know where the “best” changing female, less than 13% of graduate engineers in Rolls-Royce worked, so In September 2004 I returned to engineers are women and a much I told him about all the latest academia after10 years spent mainly smaller proportion is involved in technology developments in the in industry. What struck me most designing and making the products Trent 800 – the 3-D aerodynamics are the changes since I left we buy and use. in the compressor, the new Cambridge University in 1994. materials, the dynamic impact A human-centred approach to modelling for the fan case… He Engineering is now responding to engineering is needed to ensure that the needs of industry and business, quietly pointed out that they very “how will a person use this” is a key rarely saw these parts of the engine of healthcare, and of the part of any product specification. It environment and encompasses a at the base. Most of their time, and is also needed as systems get larger much of the cost, was involved in dynamic set of disciplines that can and increasingly complex. Most do more, and more quickly, to save unravelling the spaghetti of pipes organisations are struggling with the and wires that form the engine millions from dying of water-borne challenge of networking “key” diseases than the best new drug dressings around the outside of the systems, often communication and fan case, to correct an oil leak or a development programme. information systems. Many Engineers will deliver the solutions minor electrical fault. Access approaches to this assume that it amongst the mass of tubes was to global warming. Engineers will can all be done, cost effectively, with design the reactors and the difficult and replacing them under technology, but have failed the cowling was almost impossible. processes to grow stem cells into spectacularly. It is essential to replacement organs and play a The customer’s view of the engine recognise that people will remain at was very different from mine: an major role in almost everything that critical nodes and interfaces in large is important. And yet we are failing area of major impact to the customer networks for the foreseeable future. was a Cinderella area to me. to get these positive messages across Therefore designing these systems to young people and the public. with an understanding of human But Cinderella does get to the ball. The numbers of UK students behaviour in the operational studying physics and maths at environment is critical. Yet how A comparison of the RB211 with school, proceeding to read many of our engineering degree the dressings on a current Trent 500 engineering at university and taking courses have traditionally covered engine demonstrates how this issue up jobs in engineering continues to these issues? has been addressed. I spoke to fall. As engineering changes, the Keith Thomas, the head of the team way we teach engineering and the responsible for Externals ways we recognise and reward But things are changing. Engineering at Rolls-Royce plc, who excellence need to change as well. Shortly after I joined Rolls-Royce in commented “After a period of 1994, I was sent to spend a month seeing Externals Engineering as a People and systems: people with American Airlines, Rolls- low technology – because parts like in systems Royce’s largest customer. The pipes and brackets are simple to Engineering is about people – we biggest impact of my visit – spent make – and therefore something we are its end users and its creators, a holding flashlights for maintenance don’t need to develop core key part of how it works – crews changing engines at Chicago capability for within Rolls-Royce, customers, users, maintainers, airport at night or inspecting the we have now gone full circle. Over practitioners, researchers… But as new arrivals each morning at the the last few years we have worked technology advances and the overhaul base in Dallas – was my very hard on developing our tools products get more complex, the early morning talks with a friendly and people in externals design. On effect is to make many people feel technician who took me on the the Trent 900, designed for the alienated from the engineering that morning round of the engines and Airbus A380 super jumbo, we have should serve them. In a country told me about the problems. He achieved a further big step forwards

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in externals design quality – leading through real-time monitoring and only about 13% of undergraduates to improved maintainability/ control of the cells themselves and are women. On the new aesthetics as well as far fewer snags the growth environment. bioengineering degree course at and changes in the development Imperial College, which started in For much of the rest of the world, 2001, women now make up 50% of programme – compared with the the concept of engineering life is Trent 500.” the students. A packed syllabus more basic – sanitation. Over 1.2 includes plenty of engineering: I currently chair the Defence billion people lack access to clean imaging – for biomedical Scientific Advisory Board for the water. The Asian tsunami disaster applications; mechanics – of the Ministry of Defence. It is an has served to remind us of the body and skeletal repair; electronics opportunity to see engineering in importance to human health and – for prosthetic repair of the practice in an environment where life of a clean water supply. 5% of nervous system; sensors – for we rely so heavily on the people. A all deaths each year are from TB, the biological agents and systems; soldier in action could be carrying spread of which is closely associated combined with cardiovascular, over 50lbs of kit. He may well be with the lack of clean water, and the connective tissue and respiratory tired, anxious… Will performance figure is growing. To provide for medicine. be enhanced by concentrating our those who still do not have clean engineering resources on giving him water and meet the future needs of The training of engineers will more technical capability or less to urban populations in the developing continue to change. Engineers carry? If the soldier were a woman, world, we will need to build increasingly need to be able to think how would this change the sanitation systems for 350,000 through systems, include human assessment? Similar considerations people every working day – behaviour and performance at the need to underpin much more of our equivalent to a city the size of centre of their approach and engineering activity. Belfast. The impact of appropriate consider the ethical and engineering could be immense. environmental implications of their Engineering the Future work, whether that relates to Engineering and health is just one controlling the growth of stem cells The emphasis over the past 10 years of the key areas for engineers. has moved towards sustainability, or emissions from a new form of environment, healthcare and well- Between 1900 and 1999 per capita personal transport. being in undergraduate engineering resource consumption and waste courses, as well as in research and generation increased four times, The Challenge industry. accompanied by a four times Communicating the changing increase in population – multiplying nature of engineering and getting We can now grow tissue on a silicon by sixteen our impact on the planet. more of our best and brightest microchip – showing the In the first 50 years of the 21st young people to study it is a major compatibility between engineering Century it is estimated that resource challenge. The example of and life. It is not difficult to consumption will double again, bioengineering is encouraging. To envisage the possibility of tissue with a further population increase quote a Nature editorial “Getting growing to form contacts in a factor of 1.5. So our impact on the bright young scientists and circuit, delivering some life- earth from 1900 to 2050 will have engineers interested in the world’s supporting function – replacing a increased fifty fold1. It is not water problems is vital…There are damaged optic nerve to restore sight surprising therefore that the effects prominent role models to show that – or monitoring a person’s of our activities are increasingly scientific excellence and the condition. This area of “engineering apparent. application of appropriate life” for the rich world could mean technologies can go hand in hand.”2 proactive healthcare – continuous Other essential areas for engineering monitoring via your mobile phone include solutions for sustainable We must not let outdated from implanted sensors so that your energy and reduction in our impact perceptions of “excellence” stop the GP or clinician can call you in on the environment, combined with changes that are happening. The before any real concern arises. Or wealth creation. Engineering will way we assess and value the vision of intelligent stem cells: be successful where product design engineering must recognise control of stem cell growth, initially focuses on the user. excellence in customer focus and in a reactor vessel and subsequently appropriate delivery for people. after implantation into the body, to Future Engineers develop the right types of cells for Moving from product-centred to specific “human repairs” – early people-centred engineering enables References successes could be insulin us to recruit bright students who 1 T. Homer-Dixon “The Ingenuity Gap” Vintage producing cells to cure diabetes or have not been strongly engaged Canada, 2001 bone marrow to cure leukaemia – hitherto. On engineering courses 2 Nature 422, 243 (20th March 2003)Canada, 2001

In discussion the following points were made: Investment in innovative science and engineering penalises research institutes that undertake routine environmental monitoring required by the Hadley Centre to predict global warming impacts. Investment should be divided between academia, industry and the research institutes. Cost benefit analyses are needed before additional levels of regulation are imposed on researchers. There is no comparable research assessment exercise in the USA. The London market is too short term, and this has negative impacts on science compared with government-led tax incentives, as in Singapore and innovative business clusters in the USA, requiring a culture change in the UK. Action on global warming is needed immediately if London is to survive for 1000 years!

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ANIMAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO SCIENCE AND SOCIETY MEETING OF THE PARLIAMENTARY AND SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ON MONDAY 13TH DECEMBER 2004 John Sulston sets the scene with a scientific justification of the need for modern animal experimentation, commencing with the Darwinian and Mendelian models of genetic evolution in living organisms, followed by the Crick-Watson-Franklin-Wilson revelations of DNA structure that underpin the modern genomic library. He promotes the case for unrestricted public access to information about our genes and other life forms in a constructive spirit of human co-operation between all concerned. Tipu Aziz demonstrates the crucial need for experimentation on primates alongside surgery on the human brain in the search for understanding the causes and treatment of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. Robert Hubrecht discusses animal welfare versus human needs in the context of the 3Rs proposed by Russell and Burch, where Replacement of animals in scientific procedures, Reduction of animal use and Refinement of procedures and housing to reduce suffering, are the three principles accepted world-wide which form the basis of all attempts to find alternatives to animal use in experimentation.

Animal Contributions to Science Sir John Sulston Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Cambridge

'm here because of the discovery very like mice in the number and it was rediscovered a century ago. 51 years ago of the structure of order of genes that code for us. The laws that he uncovered became IDNA. The important, truly But now look back further to see known as Mendel's laws in his revolutionary, aspect of this how this revolution came about. honour, since it was seen that they discovery was that DNA carries a 150 years ago Charles Darwin applied equally to most animals and four letter code that IS biological taught us that all living beings on plants. So Mendel's research was an information. This was the starting earth are related to one another. early example of the use of a model point for modern biology. From That meant that it would be useful system to facilitate biological that moment, humans had the to study biological processes in any discovery. Other models became ambition to read out (or sequence) form of life, because the findings important. It was proposed that the our own DNA code (or genome), would have at least some relevance tiny darkly staining bodies (called and in recent years we have realised to other life forms including chromosomes) that formed and that goal. Part of the job was ourselves. At about the same time separated in dividing plant cells carried out at my own Wellcome another scientist, Gregor Mendel, might carry Mendel's factors, or Trust funded lab in Cambridge. was working in eastern Europe. He genes as they now became known. We can now conceptually zoom in bred pea plants in his monastery The role of genes in the onto our DNA, seeing the genes garden, studying the inheritance of development of animals was (the portions that translate into the character traits, such as tall/short elucidated in growing detail by structures of our bodies), then the stems and yellow/green seeds. He work on fruit flies. DNA was internal structure of the genes, and showed that the seemingly recognised as the key substance in finally the underlying code. And haphazard patterns of inheritance the chromosomes. And the nature we can compare the genome of one could be rationalised on the of DNA was revealed by Watson creature, like ourselves, with that of assumption that they were and Crick in Cambridge, using data another, the mouse for example, controlled by pairs of factors. generated here in London by and see how similar they are in the Unlike that of Darwin his work Franklin and Wilkins. This was the areas that matter. Because we are went unrecognised at the time, but beginning of a tremendous surge of

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discovery, because, as Francis Crick lineage was complete, I found do that, given that the human pointed out: “now one could ask myself absorbed by a new problem. genome is our common heritage, the right questions”. The purpose of all our research was and as even more extraordinary that to discover the role of genes so many people would approve. The next phase of molecular biology, through classical genetics: just like Not only would such a practice be as it was now called, took place in Mendel, we selected strange looking unfair to those unable to pay, thus even simpler models – bacteria and worms and cross bred them. But creating even deeper divisions in the tiny viruses (bacteriophage) that now in the age of molecular biology the world that we have already, but prey on them. Their simplicity and the aim was of course to go further, it would be counterproductive for rapid growth allowed breeding to peer inside to see what was going communications even among the experiments to be conducted at wrong, and to isolate and study the cognoscenti. For, if one is the great speed, and in a few years the very genes involved. This was proprietor of a private database, central machinery of biological difficult. By 1980 we had then one must contract with each of information flow was laid out. thousands of mutations in hundreds one's clients not to redistribute the My own entry into this excitement of genes, but it was taking scientists data. But because the data is so came when Sydney Brenner invited years to find each gene in the complex and poorly understood, me to join his group working on a haystack of the worm genome (100 this restriction means that tiny roundworm just 1mm long million letters long). There had to researchers are unable to publish called Caenorhabditis elegans, or the be a better way, and a few of us properly the results of their work. worm for short. Sydney had been (including Alan Coulson in Fortunately we won this battle, but one of the pioneers in that first Cambridge and Bob Waterston and only thanks to the funds of the surge of discovery, and like many of his colleagues in the US) set out to Wellcome Trust. It bothers me that his contemporaries he now wanted map and finally sequence the our national policymakers still do to see how these findings could be genome so that everyone could find not seem to appreciate the translated into knowledge of their chosen genes easily. We were importance of freely available animals like ourselves. Humans are successful enough that the worm fundamental information to the too complex, and anyway one can't led the way in the genomic analysis success and integrity of our society. do experiments on them. Even fruit of higher organisms, and its In this short talk I've tried to flies are too complex if we want to example, with the evident benefits illustrate how our biological look in detail at the individual cells, to research that genome sequencing knowledge and understanding is but the little fast growing worm is brought, helped to usher in the helped by the unity of life, first ideal for that purpose. My own international human genome propounded by Darwin and now initial role was to follow the cell project, which was successfully borne out in ever finer detail by our lineage of the worm from the single completed last year. Though in acquisition of the actual codes of cell of the fertilised egg to the many ways this is actually the life – the genomes – of many roughly 1000 cells of the adult. beginning, for we are only just different organisms. Biologists can Unusually for an animal the cell starting to understand this 3000 study many organisms (eg virus, lineage of the worm is very nearly million letter goldmine and shall be bacterium, yeast, roundworm, fruit invariant, and over several years I looking at it for centuries to come. fly, Arabidopsis, rice, fish, chicken, and my colleagues worked it all out. Thus the worm became a model in mouse, human), and learn Among other things we noticed the another and unexpected way. something from each. Each teaches predictable occurrence of Georgina Ferry and I told this story us something different, all give clues programmed cell deaths, and this in in our book “The Common as to how life works, and all turn allowed us and our successors Thread”, partly because it's a good contribute to medical progress. to discover the genes that control tale, but also because we ran into a cell death. It turned out that a spot of bother which is significant In thinking about appropriate ways number of these genes are closely in its own right. In the forward in our use of animals in similar to the corresponding genes international human genome research, we should bear in mind in humans, and so are important in consortium we released our data to that life is complex. We do not yet medical conditions where cell death everyone, just as we had always understand even the simplest happens too much (eg neurode- done for the worm; but we were organism, so calculations cannot generation) or too little (eg cancer). challenged by a corporation that replace animal experiments; Once again the value of a model started to sequence the human research must be open ended if we system becomes apparent. genome inaccurately and rapidly, in are to advance our understanding order to keep the data private and and skills in ways that are valuable But I am getting ahead of the story. sell it to subscribers. It struck me to both human and veterinary Back in the early 80s, when the cell as extraordinary that anyone would medicine.

Acknowledgements I would like to thank the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, the C. elegans community, the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium, and the public databases. They made it possible for me to be here today, but I am speaking in a personal capacity, and mistakes are mine alone.

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ANIMAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO SCIENCE AND SOCIETY

The Contribution of Animals to Human Health and Wellbeing

Professor Tipu Z Aziz Professor of Neurosurgery, Nuffield Department of Surgery, University of Oxford

Introduction paralysis was preferable to the the condition became available. There is not a person alive today condition. In 1961 Hornykiewicz demonstrated that Primates and indeed higher who has not benefited from primates are central to such animal research. This is a basic the chemical dopamine was depleted in the parkinsonian studies. They are bipedal like and undeniable fact. In the past man with neural pathways that 100 years human life expectancy brain and in 1969 a precursor L- Dopa was used clinically by are identical. Their brains has dramatically increased as a contain neuromelanin that binds result of better nutrition, better Cotzias to treat the condition with dramatic reversal of the MPTP, unlike lower primates, sanitation and discoveries in and hence they offer a stable biological sciences. Yet, despite symptoms. However within 10 years of its introduction it was parkinsonian model. Without this fact there are people who this model it is hard to conceive believe that somehow animals recognised that after 5 years’ therapy, 70% of these patients how future therapies would be have rights that place human developed. welfare at risk. As a would suffer crippling side neurosurgeon and neuroscientist effects from the drug therapy The next five years showed an I feel this is an unacceptable with uncontrollable thrashing of explosion of understanding of stance and it also worries me limbs, psychosis, on-off effects the condition using the primate that 220 MPs have signed up to etc. In the absence of an animal model. By 1989 an area deep in a motion banning the use of model of the condition future the brain, the sub thalamic primates in research. This will developments were bleak. nucleus (STN), was identified as endanger efforts to alleviate However, in 1979 an being overactive and central to some of the most devastating unexpected breakthrough driving the symptoms. Prior to conditions that affect man. In occurred. A Californian drug these primate studies the STN this briefing I will summarise addict who had taken a modified had never been thought to have some major contributions of version of the painkiller a role in the mechanisms of the animal research to science and pethidine (called MPTP) condition. By 1990, selective society based on my experience. acquired severe parkinsonian destruction of the STN was symptoms. He responded shown to dramatically reverse Parkinson’s Disease dramatically to L-Dopa, as did parkinsonism in the primate and Parkinson’s disease affects 2% of several of his customers who render them drug free. Given people over the age of 60. It had developed the same effects. that destroying such a target had manifests itself by uncontrollable Following his death brain major risks to it, an alternative tremor, rigidity, slowness of studies showed the changes seen therapy, that of implanting movement and imbalance. Until in true Parkinson’s disease. In electrodes into the STN to 1969, sufferers had only 1983 MPTP was reported to electrically stimulate it till it recourse to often crippling induce parkinsonism in the stopped functioning was shown neurosurgical procedures in the monkey which was drug to have a similar effect. Within belief that inducing a degree of responsive and so a model for two years of these primate

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studies. the first clinical study in slow the loss of intellect. In benefits from such work. people was reported with equal Alzheimer’s disease protein Recently, the argument is raised effect. Today, as a result of such deposits develop in selective that animal research has harmed studies, over 30,000 people have areas of the brain destroying people by introducing dangerous had deep brain stimulators – a intellect. In a transgenic mouse drugs into clinical use. In drug sort of pacemaker for the brain – model of the condition a vaccine development roughly 1000 implanted to control their against this protein was shown animals (usually rodents and Parkinson’s disease. Many such to be effective in treating the some dogs) might be used and if people are able after years of condition. The implications there are no contraindications a suffering to reduce or stop were such that without an safety trial is started using medications altogether. intermediate primate perhaps 100 volunteers and if That is not the end of the story. investigation human trials were safe, efficacy trials in Advanced parkinsonian patients started. The study was approximately 3000 patients will do not respond to either drugs abandoned because the vaccine be carried out prior to a drug or surgery. About one in five induced brain inflammation in being released. The animal tests people diagnosed as having man. More recent studies of can be relied upon to find Parkinson’s disease develop newer vaccines that do not certain major side effects and, resistance to drug therapy and induce brain inflammation but when combined with non- are unable to move, the bind to the protein whilst in animal tests and intense medical parkinson-plus syndromes. circulation show promise. supervision, protect those taking They are locked in a frozen However these will need trialling part in clinical trials. However, nightmare. in primates prior to man. none of these approaches – Higher primates are central to animal, non-animal or even Recent primate research into such research again because as human – will identify every parkinsonism has shown that they grow old certain species possible side effect in every stimulation of another nucleus, develop dementias with brain patient. These will emerge with the pedunculopontine nucleus deposits identical to the human general use on a much larger (PPN), may well selectively condition. scale. All drugs can cause side improve the ability to move. effects even deaths in certain The work is so convincing and Other developments in situations. To demand the need so imperative that neurological disease based upon development of a perfectly safe clinical studies are imminent. animal research are clot drug to justify animal research is Such surgery alleviates the dissolving drugs for strokes, foolhardy. condition but repair may be a newer drugs for epilepsy, real possibility. Viruses infect immunotherapy for multiple Suffering is not a part of animal cells and selecting a virus that sclerosis, drug therapy for research. The procedures I infects nerve cells, taking out migraine, drugs to treat brain perform on my monkeys is the most of its genes and replacing tumours, nerve growth factor same that I do clinically in them with the genes to produce studies to help recovery from patients. Regulations dictate dopamine is now possible. In brain and spinal cord injury. standards of animal welfare in all the parkinsonian primate, Present day medical therapy is UK laboratories which in turn injections of such viruses into inseparable from animal are monitored by Home Office the brain has been shown to research. No drug, no implants, veterinarians. dramatically improve the no surgical procedure can be In conclusion, reflecting the fact condition, rendering them drug done today free of this that 220 MPs have signed an free with no obvious side effects. provenance. Present day Early Day Motion to ban primate This is also very near clinical regulations for animal research research I ask would they also be trials in people Further studies in the UK are very rigorous and happy to sign away the rights of are needed to make stem cell experiments carefully regulated others to freedom from transplant a possibility in man. such that all are done humanely Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s and with respect for the animals. disease and other diseases and Alzheimer’s Disease The numbers used have dropped conditions that I have been Alzheimer’s disease robs people over the last decade and certain unable to cover. Such Motions of their minds. Using transgenic species such as chimpanzees and and their implications for the mouse models and primates, other great apes are banned from future of mankind must be drugs have been developed that research. Animal care also carefully considered.

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ANIMAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO SCIENCE AND SOCIETY

Balancing Human and Animal Needs

Dr Robert Hubrecht, Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

he use of animals in research is expected to reach the severity limit Replacement of animals with non- an ethical issue that arouses of the protocol and the duration of sentient alternatives, Tstrong feelings on both sides of the exposure to that severity limit, Reduction of the numbers of animals the debate. Numbers are frequently the nature and intensity of the in the remaining experiments to a quoted to make a point but these adverse effects, and the actions to minimum, and Refinement to reduce should be treated with caution. be taken to relieve the suffering.” the suffering of the remaining Whilst the numbers of animals used Hence, data are not published on the animals used in experiments to a in one area of human activity cannot numbers of animals that reach a minimum. be used to justify the numbers used particular severity limit, but instead Let us begin with Replacement and in another, a comparison can help to projects are assigned an overall Reduction. The statistics show that put the figures into perspective. Last severity rating at their outset, and while animal use has shown an year, 2.79 million procedures on this can distort the perception of the overall decrease since 1970, over the animals were started under the extent of suffering resulting from last 7 years the numbers have not Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act animal experimentation. A continued to fall partly because of the 1986 that, by definition, may have retrospective system needs to be development of new techniques, such caused pain, suffering, distress or developed to provide an accurate as genetic research. However, the lasting harm. This number is tiny assessment of the harms experienced numbers of animals required per compared with the numbers of by animals so that this can be used to candidate medicine, has declined animals used in the food industry, refine procedures and inform the dramatically over the last 6 years. many of which will suffer some public. This is currently the subject There are in fact good reasons other welfare compromise in the processes of a joint project between the Animal than welfare why scientists should of production and transport. For Procedures Committee and seek to use alternatives to animals example, in 2003, 793.4m broiler Laboratory Animals Science whenever possible as animals are chicks were used to produce 745.6m Association. expensive to keep and difficult to broiler birds (Defra Website 2004), use. While some argue that and many broiler birds suffer welfare Whilst there is undoubtedly public Replacement should lead to an problems such as lameness (eg Weeks concern about animal ongoing drop in numbers, Russell et al 2000 Butterworth et al 2002). experimentation, Mori Polls (1999 and Burch clearly understood that, Secondly, the published statistics on and 2002) and the recent House of for the foreseeable future, new animal procedures are not a Lords Select Committee report requirements to use animals would particularly good indicator of (2002) indicate that it is society’s arise, and therefore that there would suffering. According to the Guidance view animal experimentation should be a continuing need to seek on the Act: continue as long as there are proper replacements. Just as scientists are controls and no unnecessary animal “The assessment of the severity likely to wish to use available suffering. band for the project as a whole replacements, they are similarly reflects the number of animals It is here that UFAW has had a great motivated to reduce the numbers of used on each protocol and the impact. In 1956 The UFAW animals used to a minimum. actual suffering likely to be caused scholars, Professor William Russell However, Festing (2002) has drawn as a result. It is based on the and Rex Burch, published the attention to the fact that there is overall level of cumulative principles of the 3Rs which have considerable room for improvements suffering to be experienced by since become the ethical principles in experimental design used in each animal, not just the single underlying the use of animals in studies. More needs to be done to worst possible case. It takes into experiments worldwide. The 3Rs are ensure that experimental designs are account the proportion of animals defined as follows: optimised. To this end The

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Alternatives Section of the Laboratory may not be as high as in the UK. or reduce variation or have no effect Animals Science Association, of (Augustsson et al 2003, Tsai et al The move away from traditional which I am a co-convenor, held a 2003). barren housing to more enriched meeting this year. housing has been led by the input of Enriching the animals’ environment Refinement has two components: animal welfare scientists such as can have other benefits, for example, Refinement of procedure, and those supported by UFAW through in a recent study (Hockley et al Refinement of husbandry. These are its Research Fellowship, 2002) the authors used a genetically equally important, and there has Pharmaceutical Housing and modified strain of mouse as a model been substantial progress in both. Husbandry Steering Committee for Huntington’s disease (a genetic Some of the most important studentships, and its Research disorder of the central nervous developments in procedure Training Scholarships. Latham & system resulting in progressive loss of refinement have been in the Mason (2004) have identified motor control). They found that development of routine use of post- conflicts between the natural even limited enrichment slowed the operative pain relief, and more behaviour of mice and laboratory progression of the disease and recently in the detection of pain. housing to highlight potential speculated that their results could Signs of pain in animals are not welfare issues. Studies of laboratory provide a basis to ameliorate the always obvious to human eyes, and animals have shown that abnormal effects of Huntington’s disease in ethologists are working on the behaviour may be more common humans. detection and evaluation of non- than generally thought (eg Kroehn et To conclude, over the last 10 years or obvious signs of pain. Refinement by al 1999, Hubrecht et al 1992), and so there has been considerable training animals to co-operate in such behaviour not only indicates progress in improving standards of experimental procedures is another that the housing conditions that laboratory housing in the UK. Before way of reducing the stress associated result in these deficits is bad for the then, laboratory animal housing was with routine procedures such as welfare of the animals but may also designed largely to avoid the spread weighing or injection and this is an harm the science (Garner & Mason of disease and for the convenience of area of research that UFAW is 2002). How then can we know what research and animal care staff. Today, currently supporting. should be provided for animals? with greater understanding of the Ethologists have developed With respect to refinement of interactions between animals and techniques to ask animals what they Husbandry it is a legislative their environments and the want in their environment and by requirement under the European development of animal welfare training them to work for access to Directive EEC 86/609 that any science, there has been an increasing various features, to estimate how restriction on the extent to which an emphasis on designing housing that much they want it (eg Sherwin 1998, experimental animal can satisfy its meets the needs of the animals and van der Weerd et al 1998), and there physiological and ethological needs this is exemplified in the draft are now numerous studies that shall be limited to the absolute revisions to Appendix A of The demonstrate the beneficial effects of minimum. Yet, until recently animal European Convention ETS 123. enriching laboratory cages. housing was often barren, designed Nonetheless, we should not assume to ensure that animals were Scientists are sometimes reluctant to that all laboratory housing in this physically healthy but clearly did not use enrichment because of concerns country is satisfactory; there is always meet the animals’ ethological needs. that it might interfere with their a balance to be struck between This is an area where there has been research. However, so-called practical issues, scientific improvement in this country. We standard environments can also have requirements, and the needs of the need to ensure that improved adverse effects on experimental animal. Moreover, more research is standards of animal husbandry are outcomes, and enriched needed in this area, and we need to disseminated to other countries both environments can improve validity ensure that laboratory animal in the interests of animal welfare and (Damon et al 1998, Healy & Tovée standards are raised not only in this to ensure that research in this 1999, Kuhnen 1999). Nonetheless, country but world-wide. country is not disadvantaged to the it is important to consider possible extent that research moves abroad effects of enrichment on experimental References are available from the author where in some countries standards outcomes and it may either increase on request.

In discussion the following points were made: Drivers for animal testing include a need for the refinement of drugs and dosages for the average patient although all drugs are unsafe in certain circumstances. Primate housing and management requires careful design since behavioural traits might result in disturbance to deep brain implants. We do not understand how life works, hence experimental results are species specific with no easy transfer of data between species and no absolute safety when relating animal data to human use. The suppression of adverse results is unacceptable. Animal rights extremism feeds off scientists and organisations who shelter behind secrecy and anonymity. Hard core extremists are thought to number some 20 or so individuals which is not unmanageable. Other threats to UK animal testing arise from overseas competition. Irrational differences in the public perception of farm versus experimental animals focuses around the need for deliberate experimental intervention on the latter. Both academic and commercial laboratories need greater protection, and openness to society, if they are to continue to operate here.

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Einstein Year gets off the ground

The Institute of Physics hopes that attitudes towards physics will begin to change in 2005.

n 5 January, the Institute of Physics enlisted the help of O18-year-old Ben Wallace, to launch Einstein Year, the UK and Ireland’s contribution to International Year of Physics 2005. A member of Team Extreme, one of the world’s top BMX stunt teams, Wallace performed the first-ever Einstein Flip, a stunt created with the help of physicist Helen Czerski of Cambridge University that showed young people that physics can be cool. “Cool” is not a word that most people associate with physics, and it’s no secret that, lately, physics has been suffering from an image problem. All too many people regard it as dull, difficult and irrelevant. But Einstein Year is all about bypassing such negative perceptions and creating a whole new set of associations, especially in the minds of 11 to 14-year-olds, the main target audience for the year’s activities. At this critical age, children make lifelong decisions about who they are and what they like. For many, Einstein Year will be their first experience of physics, so it’s vital that it’s an enjoyable and positive one. Changing perceptions of physics is a huge challenge – for many even the word “physics” is an instant turn- off. The name Einstein Year gets round that by focusing instead on an icon who is not just the world’s most famous physicist, but one of the most recognized figures of the 20th century. Even those who turn away from physics warm to the image of the quirky old man with Launch of Einstein Year at the Science Museum (BMX stunt-rider Ben Wallace)

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Football Club to put on an Einstein birthday party – one of dozens around the country. It will include party tricks and games that are, first and foremost, great fun but which are also based on physics. These children will discover, for example, that it’s harder to score a goal with a completely smooth football than one with a seam, but they’ll also find out why. Most activities next year are aimed at young people, but adults needn’t feel left out. There will be plenty to engage all age groups during the year. Young people don’t live in a vacuum. They’re influenced by older siblings, parents and teachers, and if everyone around them says physics is boring, they’re likely to believe it. Throughout 2005 we’ll be demonstrating to everyone how Rambert Dance rehersing “Constant Speed” on the London Underground physics plays a part in so many aspects of our lives. There will be the mad hair, the non-conformist get at school. The touring ten themes during Einstein Year – pacifist who refused to wear socks. exhibition “Move Over Einstein”, for including Physics in Music, Physics And, of course, 2005 is the example, details the search for the in Sport, Physics in the Future – centenary of Einstein’s annus Higgs boson and the mysteries of which we hope will demonstrate mirabilis, when he published dark matter with hands-on exhibits just how relevant physics really is to seminal papers on special relativity, that capture the excitement of these us all. the photoelectric effect and research areas. The exhibits will This year is a great opportunity to Brownian motion. also feature information about some try out new ways of inspiring of the young researchers involved in But we’re not just relying on people with physics, and that effort this work. Aside from science Einstein’s name and image to won’t end on 31 December 2005. museums and science centres, the change attitudes to physics. Far Once the balloons have come down exhibit will also visit some less from being dull, difficult and and the cleaners have left, we’ll be traditional spaces, such as city irrelevant, the events and activities taking a close look at what worked museums and even shopping during the year aim to be – and what didn’t – to make sure centres, to reach those who might entertaining, accessible and Einstein Year has a lasting impact. not otherwise be exposed to interesting. For example, It’s not too late to put on your own physics. throughout 2005 groups of “physics event. You, too, can be part of this buskers” will be turning up in One of the biggest projects that will effort to change attitudes, so that a public places and festivals to show start during Einstein Year is Lab in a whole new generation grows up off the exciting physics-based tricks Lorry. Three of these custom-built believing that physics is interesting, in our specially created “Physics To mobile physics laboratories will be exciting and, yes, even cool. Go” packs. And there’s even an touring the country, each with Einstein Year computer game, Time experiments designed to inspire Twins, that’s great fun to play but young people. Visitors will take also communicates some of the part in real physics and meet real ideas raised by special relativity. physicists and, for some, their visit could even be the push that makes We hope to reach as many young them consider taking physics people as possible during Einstein further. Year, and that everyone who takes part will learn a little physics. But We’ve started the year as we mean Einstein Year won’t take the place of to go on – engaging young people physics teaching in the classroom. by highlighting the physics involved Tuff Teddy, the main character in a new Instead, it’s about exposing young in activities that interest them. computer game for Einstein Year called people to some new experiences of That’s why the Institute was keen to “Time Twins” and based on ideas about physics – ones they’re unlikely to team up with Ipswich Town special relativity

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Engineering and Physical Sciences for the 21st century

John O’Reilly, Chief Executive, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

edical imaging, genetic While the technology of today is from information technology to fingerprinting, flooding based on knowledge we currently structural engineering. Our aim is Mprediction, energy efficient possess, future technology will be to ensure the UK is equipped with building design, the lasers used in based on knowledge that we have the research knowledge and CDs and DVDs, the optical fibres yet to acquire – through research. expertise to maintain the UK’s which have revolutionised our The Engineering and Physical technological leading edge, build a communications systems and Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) strong economy and improve enabled broadband internet access – is the UK’s main funding agency for people’s quality of life. these are just a few of the research and training in these areas EPSRC supports more than 5000 technological developments upon and invests over £500 million a year research projects across a broad which we rely in our everyday lives in UK universities and other remit ranging from research on that have resulted from research organisations across a “optical tweezers” to enable the breakthroughs in engineering and broad range of subjects from manipulation of individual the physical sciences. mathematics to materials science, molecules, to sustainable processing and manufacturing to address climate change; from the atomic scale intricacies of quantum computing, to the design of living areas which are less susceptible to crime. However, the shape of science is changing and real world problems do not respect the boundaries of established academic disciplines. We are therefore increasingly working in partnerships with other Research Councils, with Government Departments and with industry to tackle the research challenges in areas such as energy (both the development of cleaner renewable alternatives to fossil fuels as well as technologies and processes to improve energy efficiency), climate change, transport, crime prevention and The award winning David Wilson Eco-House on the campus at the University of detection, information technology Nottingham is a test bed for innovations in “green” living with EPSRC providing support and communications and for both research and public engagement. healthcare.

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Out of the labs and into Education Funding Council for society England (HEFCE) and the Scottish One of the main strands of the Higher Education Funding Council Government’s 10 year Framework (SHEFC) we are working to secure for Science and Innovation is to strategically important research ensure that the scientific knowledge areas that are missing or “at risk” in generated by our universities is used the UK. We have recently by business to create wealth. introduced Science and Innovation Knowledge transfer is an integral Awards on a pilot basis and by part of our business. In the last February 2005 plan to award 3 to 5 decade more than 500 start-up large, five year grants to enable companies have been formed built academic staff to be appointed to upon EPSRC sponsored research establish research groups in and more than 45% of our research strategically important areas. A grants involve partnership with crucial part of the scheme is a industry and other external commitment from the host partners. We also promote university to continue to support industrial involvement in the the academic posts and activities training of our postgraduate after the end of the special EPSRC students and the first employment funding to grow and sustain research capacity in these key areas. destination of over 50% is industry, Thousands of people learnt about the with the postgraduate students However, this can only serve as the science of bridges, birdsong, volcanoes and beginning and to have a real effect taking their newly acquired many more topics at the University of knowledge and skills out into the Bristol’s “Science Alive” event held in in halting the decline in research workforce. Bristol’s Galleries shopping centre, capacity a continuing programme of these awards is needed. For the future we believe that we sponsored as part of EPSRC’s Public can best contribute to improving Engagement Programme. This initiative must be coupled with the UK’s innovation performance by longer term activities to engage with seeking further to raise the appetite of all investment and 75% of all young people about the benefits of of business for research and high industrial R&D.1 In addition, much science and engineering and the level skills, and acting as a catalyst of the rapid and exciting research opportunities for pursuing careers for collaboration across the progress in biology, medicine and utilising these skills. A distinct business/university interface. environmental sciences has feature of Research Councils in this depended on earlier breakthroughs arena is the access that we have to a Training the next generation in the engineering and physical large number of active researchers of scientists and engineers sciences (eg x-ray crystallography who have an important role to play Creating a workforce equipped with and synchrotron radiation, amino- in promoting and discussing the high level skills in engineering and acid sequencers and bioinformatics) outcomes of their research with the the physical sciences is essential to and this trend continues. public. We are currently working with other Research Councils to drive discovery and innovation and However, in engineering and ensure our researchers have the position the UK as a key knowledge physical sciences a decline in training, resources and hub in the global economy. EPSRC undergraduate numbers over recent opportunities they need to is the largest supporter of PhD years has resulted in a reduction in undertake public engagement training in the UK in engineering researchers and centres of research activities. This includes a major and physical sciences; we currently activity in our universities. As a programme to link young scientist support over 7000 PhD students result there are serious concerns role models with schools to inspire who will become the next that some areas of engineering and interest in science. generation of research leaders in physical sciences research in the UK both industry and academia. no longer have the capacity to These are just the first of many Securing the future produce the well-trained people and steps that will need to be taken to The physical sciences and research leaders of tomorrow. reverse the situation and EPSRC is engineering are remarkable in their Given the importance of one partner amongst several that importance and pervasiveness engineering and the physical have a role to play if we are to throughout the economy. As sciences to both the UK economy ensure the UK has the research identified in a recent report by the and other areas of research, urgent capability it requires to drive the next Science and Technology Policy action is required. generation of technological change. Research Unit (SPRU), engineering As a result we have decided to take 1 “Engineering and Physical Sciences in the UK”, G Crespi and P Patel, Science and Technology and physical sciences related sectors action in a new way and and in Policy Research Unit account for 30% of UK GDP, 40% partnership with the Higher www.sussex.ac.uk/sprutest/documents/pateleps.doc

Further information about the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and its activities is available from our website at www.epsrc.ac.uk

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The Innovation Challenge: Lessons from America and the UK epresentatives from Now, the US is far from having all the from the Department of Defence Government, industry and answers for successfully encouraging (which funds half the program) to R academia took part in the science and technology innovation. the National Institutes of Health, and Cambridge-MIT Institute’s annual The common assumption that the US the National Science Foundation, Competitiveness Summit in has a well-oiled, well-run innovation regards its payback as the Edinburgh on 30 November, where system is a myth – not least because development in the US of vital new they discussed ways of boosting no one entity is really in charge. technologies in health, defence, knowledge exchange between Instead of having a science ministry, energy and the environment. These universities and industry to help or a central plan for science, we have address the specific missions of these promote science and engineering multiple and competing sources of agencies, as well as the larger national enterprise. Speakers included two decision-making. This means the goal of a robust and innovative senior innovation policy advisers, one system is responsive to new economy. A recent evaluation by the from the US and one from the UK. challenges, but it can also lead to a National Academy of Sciences of the These are their personal views on lack of coherence that is potentially Program at the Department of how to tackle the innovation damaging to innovation. What the Defence confirmed that SBIR has challenge. US does have is a business climate been successful in stimulating the and a positive social attitude that creation of thousands of new start- Dr Charles Wessner is Director of the support innovation. ups, including those by academics. Program on Technology and Innovation at the National Academy of Sciences in It is also important to say that UK A major advantage of the SBIR Washington, and speaks to the US innovation is faring better than many program, which now distributes Congress on science and innovation people think, helped by the relatively $2 billion a year, is its stability. policy. low regulatory burden the UK places Introduced in 1982, SBIR is currently on its small firms, and the high funded through a set-aside of 2.5 per quality of British science research. cent on the external R&D budgets of The challenge for the UK is to the participating agencies. This capitalise on its R&D investment, means the program does not require and to generate returns to British yearly approval by the US Congress, taxpayers in the form of new, welfare- making its budget predictable and enhancing products, and jobs and ensuring growth apace with US R&D growth that new companies can offer. expenditure. The former Smart To the UK’s advantage, the scheme in the UK was in some ways Government recognises this challenge similar to the SBIR program. and is seeking to address it. However the changes made to it recently mean that in its current Lack of finance form, it no longer has the resources One barrier in both our countries to and outreach necessary to help the establishment of new, high-tech promising small companies. firms is a financial “Valley of Death” – Tyranny of the small scale a lack of available finance for new At a time when the UK Government ideas. In the US, the SBIR is one is making a sustained effort to put mechanism set up to help bridge this The UK and the US face common new money into science in a smart Valley. SBIR is a competitive program challenges in bringing the results of way, and paying a commendably high that awards funds in two phases. research to the market, and there is level of attention to this area, I would Just 12 per cent of applicants receive much to learn on both sides of the caution against the British tendency Phase I awards (of $100,000), and Atlantic. The US offers UK to under-fund well-conceived less than half of these go on to win a policymakers some interesting programmes. This leads to a tyranny Phase II award, of $750,000, after lessons, and some mechanisms that of the small scale, ie too many well- demonstrating the feasibility of the could potentially be adapted to conceived but under-funded technology they are developing. But Britain – like the Small Business initiatives operated for too short a the awards are highly sought-after, Innovation Research program (SBIR). time. This short-changes the for good reasons. The grant does not This has successfully funded potential of the UK’s excellent science have to be paid back, and the thousands of high-technology base. As the example of the SBIR company keeps the IP rights. businesses in the US, and helped program shows, Government-funded Importantly, the award also sends out many entrepreneurial academics set initiatives work best if they are highly signals of research quality and up their own firms. Similar competitive, well funded, and stable commercial potential that help attract programs are currently under way in over time. An innovation economy funds from private investors. Finland and Sweden, and “an SBIR- requires sustained policy attention, type program” was recommended by The US Government, which provides but the rewards in growth and the European Advisory Board. awards through agencies ranging employment are worth it.

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Alan Hughes is Professor of Enterprise ways in which universities interact required by customers” and Studies at the Judge Institute of with the commercial world. “gaining access to specialised equipment or information” all came Management, and Director of the The Cambridge-MIT Institute is higher up the list than developing Centre for Business Research at sponsoring the “Innovation licensing activities or supporting Cambridge University. He was Benchmarking” research, which is spin-outs. appointed, in 2004, to membership of being conducted by Andy Cosh and the Council for Science and Technology myself at Cambridge University's However, UK policy-makers will be (CST). The views expressed here are Centre for Business Research with most concerned by our findings his own. Richard Lester at MIT’s Industrial that while a smaller proportion of Performance Center. Together, we small American companies are interviewing ultimately 4,000 collaborate with US universities, companies in the US and UK to those that do have a more intense measure and compare their relationship with them, and value innovative behaviour and their collaboration more highly performance than in the UK. In our study, thirty per cent of US companies that had Collaborative activities university links rated them as a Preliminary findings for smaller “highly important” source of firms in our study (those employing knowledge, compared with just between 20 and 500 staff) show thirteen per cent in the UK. that the number of UK companies that have relationships with This may be because American universities is actually greater than companies place a greater premium previously thought, and more than on education generally. Our study in the US. Here, two-thirds of provides evidence for this with its companies use universities and findings that more American higher education institutions as company chiefs, and more sources of knowledge, compared to American workers, have a degree one third in the US; and almost one than their UK counterparts. in four UK companies (23 per cent) Private sector commitment are involved in collaborative These emerging results from our activities with them, compared to study raise some interesting policy around one in seven (14 per cent) issues. The ten-year Science and in the US. Innovation investment framework The relationships are broad- commits the UK to raise R&D by Currently there is considerable UK ranging. Our study confirms a 75%, or some £16.5 billion in real policy interest in how to harness growing (but often neglected) body terms. The Government has the excellence of university science of evidence that knowledge outlined its commitment and and research so it can be used as exchange between business and contribution to this target. But it the platform for successful universities takes place in many will be an enormous challenge for innovation by businesses. Hence, a diverse ways, ranging from open the private sector, whose R&D number of policy initiatives are channels (eg publication of papers, spend is twice as important as that fostering more links between conferences and informal of the public sector in quantitative universities and industry generally, interactions) to more closed and terms, to reach this level. And with and encouraging university spin- formal collaborations, like joint smaller firms in the UK expected to outs and licensing activity in research and development projects, be a key driver in this, our study particular. and academic consultancy. suggests that major behavioural changes are required. But is this the right policy emphasis People play a key role as central to enhance UK innovation levels? carriers of knowledge in exchange The 2003 Lambert Review of The first findings from a new relationships (as recruits, Business-University Collaboration research project, benchmarking consultants, interns etc), though suggested that the main challenge innovative behaviour in the UK and interestingly, we found US for the UK lay in raising “the overall US, are revealing a complex picture companies use internships far more level of demand by business for of the relationships UK businesses as a method of interacting with research from all sources.” We agree forge with universities – and indeed universities than in the UK. Also with this, but we would emphasise with other organisations – as they when we asked companies in both the importance of the intensity and search for competitive advantage. the UK and the US the purpose of quality of this demand, and the It suggests that pursuing university their collaborations with need to raise the capacity of spin-offs and licensing is not universities, “sharing in-house business to absorb and apply necessarily the best or only research”, “helping to develop knowledge if we are to rise to the solution, as this is just one of many specialist services or products innovation challenge.

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Bees on their Knees?

Pamela A Hunter Microbiological Consultant and Medical Writer

he National Bee Unit (NBU) is the testing for and monitoring of for the non-expert to recognise in is part of the DEFRA-funded various bee diseases, in particular the early stages. ADAS calculated TCentral Science Laboratories. American Foul Brood and European that the control of European Foul The proposal in the Haskins report Foul Brood. These are both Brood had a benefit-to-cost ratio as is to make a 20% reduction notifiable diseases and have increased high as 70. (£250,000) and such a cut will have in frequency since the advent of It seems probable that the required major repercussions on the viability varroa. The Bee Diseases Inspectors cost savings will be made by cutting of beekeeping in England. have a statutory right to inspect any the numbers of Bee Disease bee hives or apiary premises. The numbers of honeybees have Inspectors. It is a bad time to be reduced dramatically in the Varroa is to be deregulated in 2005 making such cuts as there are yet countryside, mostly from the advent on the grounds that it is now more unpleasant and potentially in 1992 of a parasitic mite, known endemic and beekeepers know how devastating problems waiting in the as varroa. Colonies were decimated to handle it. Although that may wings. One, the small hive beetle, and as a result, many beekeepers sound a reasonable proposal, has recently been found in the USA gave up in the early to mid 1990s. unfortunately the varroa mite has and in Australia. Illegal imports to Feral colonies were also destroyed recently become resistant to the the EU of bees containing this so that pollination by honey bees only two chemicals available in the beetle have been discovered very now relies almost exclusively on UK for treating the parasite. This recently and although these were colonies of bees managed by will make dealing with varroa very detected and appropriate measures beekeepers. The parasite has to be difficult and the beekeeping taken, it is impossible to tell if all kept at low levels by careful community thus relies very heavily beetles and larvae have been manipulation and chemical on the advice from and inspections destroyed. This pest may already be treatment, all monitored by the Bee by the Bee Disease Inspectors. As just across the channel. Disease Officers (part of the the resistant mites spread, their help It is clear from the situation with National Bee Unit). It has been will be essential if we are to manage human diseases that in the modern estimated by ADAS (2001) that the our colonies effectively. world of rapid travel across contribution of pollination by It has also been announced that continents, importation of exotic honey bees to the agricultural European Foul Brood will be foods and of course illegal activities, economy was as much as £120 deregulated in 2007/8. The containing the spread of pests and million, while the experts at rationale for this is that there are diseases is extremely difficult. We Rothamstead suggest that the figure now good ways of controlling this have to assume therefore that these is nearer to £150 million. disease without recourse to the other pests and diseases will find ADAS also stated in (2001) in their destruction or treatment with their way here just as varroa did. report “An Economic Evaluation of antibiotics that has been used up Varroa has become more of a DEFRA’s Bee Health Programme” that until now. Again, this has not been problem because of resistant mites the bee health service (the National thought through since these since the ADAS reported in 2001. Bee Unit - NBU) had a benefit-to- alternative methods have not been The incidence of foulbroods has cost ratio of 33. In spite of this validated, especially for use in heavy remained static and the likelihood DEFRA has not issued a infections. There is historical of additional pests and diseases has consultation document on these evidence from before this disease increased. Thus we have a greater proposals; this is in contravention of was notifiable that these methods, need for research and support if the the Cabinet Office Code of Practice. although useful, were not adequate. bees and the agricultural economy One of the major roles of the NBU In addition, this disease is not easy that relies on them are not to suffer.

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Towards One Institution of Engineers

A personal view by Robert Freer

he Institution of Civil the whole engineering profession. Government of the day) there have Engineers was founded in been three opportunities to bring the 1818, just before the beginning Throughout the country there are main engineering institutions T many technical specialists on every of the Railway Era, and was the first together and three times the institution for the practitioners of subject able to offer such advice, but opportunity has been lost. Three the new profession of engineering. with thirty or forty institutions times is a lot. In those days the term civil engineer claiming to speak for the engineering meant simply a non-military profession how does the Today there is another opportunity engineer and most of the members Government know how to locate to bring the institutions together, at that time were the engineers of and make best use of this reservoir and it may be a last opportunity. the roads, canals and harbours. of information? The practical reality is that the historical distinctions between the The story that the Institution refused It would be much simpler for the different types of engineer are fading to admit George Stephenson because Government to speak to one and are becoming less relevant in as a mechanic he was not a Institution of Engineers which could modern practice. And all the large “gentleman engineer” is, like many offer, on matters of both policy and employers and commercial other popular stories, probably its implementation, sound technical organisations are now apocryphal. But the fact remains advice distilled from a wide range of multidisciplinary. that the formation of the Institution opinions within its membership. of Mechanical Engineers, some thirty Unanimity among specialists is not Many of the present institutions are years after the Civils, with George to be expected and is unlikely to be concerned that their membership is Stephenson as their first President, achieved but if different views and static or declining and in any case is started the fragmentation of the their consequences are clearly stated ageing. It is much better for the engineering profession which has and an appropriate technical main institutions to start continued relentlessly and has judgment clearly made it becomes negotiations now on a basis of bedevilled and weakened the efforts much easier for politicians to adopt equality than to allow this of engineers today to establish and and pursue a sound and workable opportunity to slip by again for a maintain influence with politicians policy. number of years by which time some institutions may need to seek and with the general public. Today Personal individuality would not be there are between thirty and forty amalgamation for reasons of lost because within the one economic necessity. institutions accommodating the Institution there would be a number main engineering specialisations and of special interest groups (as there Brunel was one of the first to many more representing minor are now in the separate institutions) recognise the damaging interests. to provide the “intellectual home” consequences of the fragmentation Almost everything engineers do for specialist practitioners. of the profession. He was admitted nowadays to build or to maintain as a Member of the Institution of The older professions have been Civil Engineers in 1837 and later in the national infrastructure is more far-sighted. If the Government sponsored or influenced in some 1841 he was invited to join the new wants technical advice on, say, Institution of Mechanical Engineers. way by the Government. The medical policy or legal policy they Government is deeply involved in He declined on the grounds that if have just one organisation they can the new Institution were to be “an the national infrastructure and it is speak to. in the interests of all of us that the Institution for England generally.. I specialist practitioners have sufficient This problem of fragmentation has fear it would tend to create a influence with the Government to been recognised by a number of division in our Institution of ensure that Government policies are engineers for many years and the Engineers and so far would I think first of all guided by sound technical Government's impatience with the be open to objection”. Brunel was advice and then carried out in a present arrangements has also been born in 1806 and to bring the technically efficient manner. Such apparent. Since the Finniston Institutions together would be a advice would carry more weight if it enquiry more than twenty years ago fitting way to commemorate the bi- was seen to represent the views of (which was prompted by the centenary of his birth in 2006. Robert Freer is an engineer but the opinions expressed are his own and not those of any institution

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House of Commons Select Committee on Science and Technology

Under the Standing Orders, the Committee’s terms of reference are to examine “the expenditure, policy and administration of the Office of Science and Technology and its associated public bodies”. The Committee was nominated on 12 November 2001. The Chairman is Dr Ian Gibson (Lab, Norwich North). Other members of the Committee are Paul Farrelly (Lab, Newcastle-under-Lyme), Dr Evan Harris (Lib Dem, Oxford West and Abingdon), Kate Hoey (Lab, Vauxhall), Dr Brian Iddon (Lab, Bolton South East), Mr Robert Key (Salisbury), Mr Tony McWalter (Lab/Co-op, Hemel Hempstead), Dr Andrew Murrison (Con, Westbury), Geraldine Smith (Lab, Morecambe and Lunesdale), Bob Spink (Con, Castle Point), and Dr Desmond Turner (Lab, Brighton Kemptown).

Oral Evidence levels of investment in forensic science R&D; the use The uncorrected transcripts of these evidence sessions are of novel forensic technologies by the FSS and criminal available on the Committee’s website. justice system; and the use of forensic science in criminal investigations and court proceedings. The Science Question Time Committee began taking oral evidence in December The Committee hosted a “Science Question Time” 2004. A Report is expected at Easter. with Lord Sainsbury of Turville on Wednesday 1 The Future of the National Institute for Medical December. The Committee will continue to host such Research sessions at regular intervals. The Committee announced, on 21 October 2004, that Science and Innovation Investment Framework it would conduct an inquiry into the future of the 2004–2014 Medical Research Council’s National Institute for The Committee took evidence from the Rt Hon Paul Medical Research. The inquiry is looking at the Boateng MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury; Dr Kim proposed move of the National Institute for Medical Howells MP, Minister of State, Department for Research to a central London university hospital site, Education and Skills; and the Lord Sainsbury of and the process by which decisions are being reached. Tur ville, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, The Committee will hold its final evidence session for Department of Trade and Industry, on Monday 1 this inquiry in January 2005. A Report is expected in November. The session was used to discuss the the early Spring. Government’s Science and Innovation Investment Strategic Science Provision in English Universities Framework 2004–2014. The evidence taken formed The Committee announced its terms of reference in part of the Committee’s annual scrutiny Report on the December 2004. The inquiry will look at the impact of work of OST. HEFCE’s research funding formulae on the financial Current Inquiries viability of university science departments; the desirability of increasing the concentration of research Human Reproductive Technologies and the Law in a small number of university departments; the The Committee announced its terms of reference in implications for university science teaching of changes March 2004. The terms of reference were informed by in the weightings given to science subjects in the a public e-consultation on some of the major issues teaching funding formula; the optimal balance between involved in the inquiry, which ran from January to teaching and research provision in universities; the March 2004 at www.tellparliament.net. The inquiry is importance of maintaining a regional capacity in looking into how human reproductive technologies university science teaching and research; and the are regulated in the UK. Terms of reference include extent to which the Government should intervene to the balance between legislation, regulation and ensure continuing provision of subjects of strategic reproductive freedom; the role of Parliament in the national or regional importance, and the mechanisms it area of human reproductive technologies; the ethical should use for this purpose. The Committee began framework for legislation on reproductive taking evidence in February 2005. technologies; the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990; and the work of the Human Fertilisation Reports and Embryology Authority. The Committee held its Research Assessment Exercise: a re-assessment last evidence session on this inquiry in January 2005. The Committee published its Eleventh Report of A Report is expected in the Spring. Session 2003–04, Research Assessment Exercise: a re- Forensic Science assessment (HC 586) on 23 September 2004. The Committee announced its terms of reference in The Committee concluded that the proposals for the July 2004. The inquiry is looking into the likely next Research Assessment Exercise, scheduled for impact of the Government plan to develop the 2008, contained some positive elements, particularly Forensic Science Service as a public private the introduction of the quality profile to replace the 7- partnership; the quality of forensic science education point rating scale. It noted that this should eliminate and training and the supply of skilled personnel; the financial incentive for games-playing. It also

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concluded that the new panel and sub-panel structure advisory body funded indirectly by the Department for should improve the consistency in assessments Education and Skills. The Committee found it between Units of Assessment and the treatment of worrying both that an expert body had felt constrained interdisciplinary and applied research. In other in carrying out its advisory role, and that the respects the Committee regarded the proposals as too Government had ignored JISC’s expert advice on the timid. The Report stated that the Funding Bodies need for change in the system for publishing research should have accepted the recommendations of Sir findings. Gareth Roberts to abandon the “one size fits all” The Work of the Economic and Social Research approach and to demand that institutions satisfy Council minimum standards of research competence. The Committee published its First Report of Session Government Support for Beagle 2 2004–05, The Work of the Economic and Social Research The Committee published its Twelfth Report of Session Council (HC 13) on 20 December 2004. 2003–04, Government Support for Beagle 2 (HC 711) on 2 November 2004. Government Responses The Committee concluded that the failure of the Beagle 2 Mars lander could be traced to the Government’s Eighth Special Report unwillingness to commit funding early enough, and The Committee published its Eighth Special Report of the failure of the European Space Agency (ESA) and Session 2003-04, Government Response to the the UK Government to monitor the project sufficiently Committee's Seventh Report, Session 2003-04: Director closely. The Report stated that the lack of guaranteed General for Higher Education: Introductory Hearing (HC funding left the Consortium behind the Beagle 2 1015) on 17 September 2004. project held together by an amateurish gentleman’s Ninth Special Report agreement that allowed a key backer to pull out without penalty, and hampered efforts to secure the The Committee published its Ninth Special Report of necessary funding. The Committee also criticised ESA’s Session 2003-04, Government Response to the and the UK Government’s refusal to publish in full Committee's Ninth Report, Session 2003-04: Director their own Commission of Inquiry Report into the General of the Research Councils: Introductory Hearing failure of Beagle. The Report did, however, welcome (HC 1059) on 27 September 2004. the moral support given by the Government to a Tenth Special Report worthwhile but risky project. The Committee published its Tenth Special Report of The Use of Science in UK International Session 2003–04, Government Response to the Development Policy Committee's Ninth Report, Session 2003-04: Director The Committee published its Thirteenth Report of General of the Research Councils: Introductory Hearing Session 2003-04, The Use of Science in UK International (HC 1199) on 3 November 2004. Development Policy (HC 133) on 26 October 2004. First Special Report The Committee concluded that the Department for The Committee published its First Special Report of International Development (DFID) had failed to fully Session 2004–05, Research Assessment Exercise: a re- value and make use of scientific research and evidence, assessment: Government Response to the Committee's leading to poorer quality policy making and support Eleventh Report of Session 2003-04 (HC 34) on 30 for developing countries. The Report stated that a November 2004. scientific approach to policy making, capacity building and evaluation is the only way to achieve DFID’s objectives of making sustainable progress towards the Further Information Millennium Development Goals agreed by the Further information about the work of the Committee international community in 2000. The Committee also or its current inquires can be obtained from the Clerk expressed concern at DFID’s waning capacity to of the Committee, Chris Shaw, the Second Clerk, promote the role of science and technology in Emily Commander, or from the Committee Assistant, development and provide crucial technical advice. Ana Ferreira on 020 7219 2792/0859/2794; or by Responses to the Committee's Tenth Report, writing to: The Clerk of the Committee, Science and Session 2003-04, Scientific Publications: Free for Technology Committee, House of Commons, 7 all? Millbank, London SW1P 3JA. Inquiries can also be The Committee published its Fourteenth Report of emailed to [email protected]. Anyone wishing Session 2003–04, Responses to the Committee’s Tenth to be included on the Committee’s mailing list should Report, Session 2003–04, Scientific Publications: Free for contact the staff of the Committee. all? (HC 1200) on 8 November 2004. Anyone wishing to submit evidence to the Committee The Committee asked the Government to reconsider is strongly recommended to obtain a copy of the its position on scientific publications after it released guidance note first. Guidance on the submission of an obstructive Response to the initial Committee evidence can be found at http://www.parliament.uk/ Report. The Report concluded that the Department of commons/selcom/witguide.htm. Trade and Industry (DTI) had tried to neutralise the The Committee has a new website address: views put forward by other departments and www.parliament.uk/s&tcom. All recent publications Government-funded organisations, in particular the (from May 1997 onwards), terms of reference for all Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC), an expert inquiries and press notices are available at this address.

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House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee

The members of the Committee (appointed 1 December 2004) are Lord Broers (Chairman), Baroness Finlay of Llandaff, Lord Mitchell, Lord Patel, Lord Paul, Baroness Perry of Southwark, Baroness Platt of Writtle, Baroness Sharp of Guildford, Lord Soulsby of Swaffham Prior, Lord Sutherland of Houndwood, Lord Taverne, Lord Turnberg, Lord Winston and Lord Young of Graffham

The Reports and Calls for Evidence for the inquiries such as arthritis. Evidence has also been heard from the mentioned below can be found at the Committee’s web site Departments of Health and Transport, and the Office of www.parliament.uk/hlscience. Science and Technology. Oral evidence on neurodegenerative diseases, sensory impairment, and Radioactive waste management research priorities will continue to be taken until March. In December, the Select Committee published a short Ministers will appear before the Sub-Committee on 22 report on radioactive waste management. The inquiry March. concentrated on the Government’s new body, the Members enjoyed visiting a “smart home” at the University Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM), of York in November. A model apartment had been set up in 2003, which has been tasked with finding a long- equipped with a number of technological aids, to help term solution for managing high and intermediate level older people. For example, flood sensors were set up to waste. The Select Committee had heard evidence from the notify a call centre of an overflowing bath or sink, and a Chairman of CoRWM and the Defra Minister, Elliot Morley, sensor, which would be worn by an occupant, could detect in October. Members also attended an open meeting of a fall and again alert carers. At the time of writing, CoRWM in Ipswich in September. Members were about to visit the National Institute on The report strongly condemned the Government’s handling Aging in Washington DC. It is a body that has existed of policy in this area, in particular the remit and since 1974 to improve the health and well being of older membership of CoRWM. The Select Committee expressed Americans. astonishment that CoRWM had been asked to start from a Michael Collon ([email protected]) is the Clerk of “blank sheet of paper” when considering management Sub-Committee I. options. There was also concern at the lack of technical expertise on CoRWM itself, relating to waste management options. Members warned that without such expertise, Energy efficiency CoRWM would be unable to evaluate critically evidence Baroness Perry of Southwark is chairing Sub-Committee II’s submitted to it. The inquiry found shortcomings in the investigation of the Government’s targets for increased process establishing CoRWM. The Minister admitted that energy efficiency. In particular, the Committee is Defra’s Chief Scientific Advisor had not been directly examining the Government’s recently published energy involved in the setting up of CoRWM. efficiency “Plan for Action” which details ambitious reductions in energy use. Members of the Select Committee felt that a disproportionate amount of time and money was being Evidence has so far been heard from a wide range of given over to discussing methodology for the public and representatives, including from the Carbon Trust and stakeholder engagement process when such consultation Energy Saving Trust, the UK Energy Research Centre, has been undertaken by similar bodies. Furthermore, the architects and builders, and energy supply companies. evidence showed that the public would show real interest Evidence will be heard until March, covering other sectors in the management of radioactive waste when it directly including consumer electronics and air conditioning. The affected them, that is, selection of a suitable site. This next Defra Minister, Lord Whitty, will give evidence on March 23. stage of policy was also found to be severely lacking any In December, the Sub-Committee visited the Building development. Research Establishment, the UK's leading centre of A debate on the report was held on 12 January, at which expertise on buildings, construction, energy, environment, the Minister responding, Lord Whitty, assured the House fire and risk. Further trips are planned to a renovated that a Government response would be published within a Georgian terrace house in Knightsbridge which has month or so. substantially reduced its energy demand, and Leicester, which has had a strong commitment to managing its Scientific aspects of ageing energy resources since the 1970s. Members are also Sub-Committee I, chaired by Lord Sutherland of visiting Germany and Sweden in January, exemplars of Houndwood, has been hearing oral evidence for its inquiry energy efficiency in Europe. into the scientific aspects of ageing since October. Christopher Johnson ([email protected]) is the Members are investigating the ageing process, and how Clerk of Sub-Committee II. science and technology can help postpone and mitigate the effects of illnesses or disabilities associated with growing Further Information old, and assist the elderly in adapting to the challenges of, Further information about the work of the Select for example, restricted mobility and deteriorating senses. Committee can be obtained from the Clerk, Christopher The Sub-Committee has been fascinated hearing about the Johnson ([email protected]). A free weekly notice research that is being carried out in the UK, in areas such of business of all House of Lords Select Committees is as the importance of nutrition in the ageing process, heart available from Geoff Newsome, 020 7219 6678. The and circulatory diseases, and musculoskeletal disorders Committee’s email address is [email protected]

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Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology

Recent POST publications conserve the marine environment. This POSTnote The future of UK gas supplies examines the current state of knowledge about UK marine wildlife, available conservation methods and their October 2004 POSTnote 230 effectiveness. The UK's gas reserves are declining. Government and industry analysts estimate that by around 2006 the UK Current work will no longer be self-sufficient in gas production and will Biological Sciences and Health revert to being a net gas importer from Europe and further POSTnotes in preparation on Drugs for neglected diseases, afield. Gas is the largest proportion of the UK's primary The role of Research Ethics Committees, Availability of energy supply, and gas-fired power plants are the main prescription drugs, Alcohol and public health, and Gene method of power generation. This POSTnote examines therapy. the UK's options for dealing with a diminishing domestic Environment and Energy gas supply and for ensuring future gas security. POSTnotes in preparation on Plutonium: waste or Organ transplants resource?, Materials in housing construction, The October 2004 POSTnote 231 bushmeat trade, Recycling household waste, and Carbon Those awaiting organ transplants considerably exceed the sequestration. organs available. This POSTnote describes this organ (and Physical Sciences and IT tissue) “gap”. It examines the pros and cons of various POSTnotes in preparation on Nanotechnology - risk and options for increasing donation rates including “opt-in” opportunity, e-Science and the Grid, Mobile phones, (the current UK scheme) and “opt-out” (presumed Open source software, and The Militarisation of Space. consent) and the use of these systems in other countries. Science policy Potential alternative treatments for the future, such as POSTnote in preparation on Undergraduate science stem cell therapies, are not discussed in this note. education UK health impacts of climate change Seminars November 2004 POSTnote 232 POST jointly hosted a seminar on Dyslexia and Dyscalculia The response to climate change, both globally and in the with the British Psychological Society on November 1st UK, is an issue of public concern. To date, the main focus 2004, which is reported on page 37. has been on the likely environmental and economic outcomes. However, there is growing recognition that POST will host a seminar with OFCOM on March 1st 2005 there may be significant human health impacts. This on New Communication Technologies (4.00-5.30, POSTnote outlines these potential impacts in the UK and Macmillan Room, Portcullis House). examines the options open to public policy makers. Fellows and Interns at POST Digital television Since autumn 2004 POST has been pleased to welcome December 2004 POSTnote 233 David Berry (ESRC), Tasmin Mather (NERC), Rosie Smith Digital technology is changing the way television is (NERC), Noelle Kumpel (ESRC), Shefaly Yogendra, Sarah broadcast and watched, with more channels, interactive Cant (MRC), Alice Farrands (ESRC) and Loredana Santoro services and easier recording. The Government is (BPS). committed to turning the analogue terrestrial television signal off, starting within the next four years, so eventually International Activities all television broadcasting will be digital. Over 55% of UK Dr Phyllis Starkey MP, Chair of POST’s Board, the Director households already receive digital television, but there are and Dr Jofey Craig represented POST at the annual Council many issues that need to be addressed before the switch- and Conference of the European Parliamentary Technology over to digital is completed. This POSTnote looks at the Assessment network (EPTA), in Paris in October. It was implications of and progress towards digital switchover. hosted by OPECST, POST’s equivalent at the French Marine nature conservation Parliament, which in 2004 celebrated its 20th anniversary, making it the senior national parliamentary TA office in December 2004 POSTnote 234 Europe. The theme of the conference was the European Nearly half of the UK's species are found in its seas but Research Area. protection of the marine environment has lagged behind that of the land. The Government has recently completed The Director and Board member, Lord Oxburgh, a review of marine nature conservation and has represented POST at the first international “Science and announced its intention to publish a marine bill to better Technology in Society Forum” held in Kyoto in November.

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In December the Director was a keynote speaker as guest The Director was included in the UK official delegates to of the Cairo UNESCO office at the first “Arab Forum on attend the UN World Conference on Disaster Reduction in Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, a Kobe, January 2005. This was in connection with the start Parliamentarian’s Perspective”, where he spoke on the work of a POST project, scheduled for the past nine months, on of EPTA and POST. The Forum agreed to create a warning systems for natural disasters. Planning for this permanent Arab Parliamentary Forum and to seek closer study, as well as the Conference itself, has of course been ties with EPTA. It was the first in a series of global regional overtaken by the Asian Tsunami event of 26th December workshops that UNESCO will hold over the next year. 2004.

Additional information can be obtained from POST, House of Commons, 7 Millbank, London SW1P 3JA (020 7219 2840). Also available on the internet at http://www.parliament.uk/post/home/htm Members of either House can obtain free copies of all published material. Others may purchase copies from the Parliamentary Bookshop (020 7219 3890). There is also a subscription service: details from POST

House of Commons Library Science and Environment Section Research Papers

The following is a summary of a paper produced for Members of Parliament. Information and copies of papers can be obtained from Susan M Brown at the House of Commons Library on 0207 219 4856 or through www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_publications_and_archives/research_papers.cfm

The Mental Capacity Bill The Mental Capacity Bill represents the culmination of a Research Paper 04/73 long process of policy development and consultation This paper discusses the provisions of the Mental Capacity proposing reform of the law governing decision making on Bill which received its Second Reading in the House of behalf of persons who lack capacity. A draft Mental Commons on 11 October 2004. The purpose of the Bill is Incapacity Bill was published in June 2003 which was to provide a statutory framework to protect those lacking scrutinised by the Joint Committee on the Draft Mental capacity, and also carers and professionals. Incapacity Bill. .

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR -We will accept risks much more readily if we are in control or have participated in the decisions leading to the risk Sir, Car driver vs passenger I was pleased to represent The Royal Academy of -Risks are unacceptable if we cannot see the concomitant Engineering at the recent meeting of the Parliamentary and benefits either for some “deserving” group or ourselves. Scientific Committee. There were excellent presentations NIMBY and a stimulating discussion. It was appropriate that a major focus of attention was the influences that come to -Familiarity makes a hazard much more acceptable. bear on the wider public’s perception of risk and how this Death in a road accident is more acceptable than relates to the more measured assessments made by potential death caused by radiation. We all fear the professionals. unknown. In a recent report of the Academy we identified ten -A large number of incidents spread over time and space is characteristics that influence whether or not people find a much more acceptable than if the same number ocurred at risk or hazard acceptable. one time in one place. -Acts of God or Nature are much more acceptable than acts Consider the impact on smoking habits if all of the of Man. annual deaths from lung cancer took place at one Earthquakes vs chemical plant explosions despite location on one day. higher fatalities -We feel protective towards the innocent or vulnerable -Hazards, accidents and failures of public or community (children and the old). enterprises are much more acceptable than those of private, -Previous track record has an enormous influence on the profit making enterprises. acceptability of an incident. BR vs RailTrack despite the latter’s superior safety Reactions to food scares became hysterical due to record earlier mishandling

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-Even a modest systems failure in a mysterious, poorly not help. Too often the pressure groups seem to have understood operation like a chemical plant raises anxiety grabbed the initiative and the advocates of research have about what else is lurking within and is much less been driven to address the wrong issues. acceptable than a major incident in a better understood I hope that the lessons from this meeting can be carried environment like a ship. forward. There is much talk of “trust” these days and its -Response to an incident affects its acceptability. Retreating loss, whether from the political system or the management into defensive denial can often be even less acceptable than of technology, has very serious and damaging the incident. consequences. I hope that the committee will continue to Exxon Valdez or BSE regard this as important and contribute to an improvement in the way that technological developments are presented There was an excellent presentation on GM Crops at the to the wider public. meeting. It is interesting to test the above list against this issue. It immediately becomes clear why there is so much John Turnbull resistance. But I think that the real value of this list is to The Royal Academy of Engineering help us as technologists to appreciate what we need to think about if we are to get new and potentially Sir, contentious technologies accepted by the community. Unless we address the real deeply felt human values and Pesticide Exposures for People in emotions represented by the list, we will be seen as remote, Agricultural Areas. somewhat mad scientists happy to release Frankenstein-like In the early 1980s, my parents purchased a piece of land in monstrosities on the world. the countryside on which they designed and built their “dream home”. They believed this would be a healthy Revisiting the GM Crops issue armed with this list we environment to bring up their family and certainly could readily see why we are in trouble and researchers in the never have predicted the nightmare it would become. field are abandoning the UK for more friendly climes. About a year after we moved in, a local farmer switched Act of God or Man? use of the surrounding fields to intensive agriculture. We GM is seen very much as man made. Conventional were never warned about the dangers of the chemicals agriculture is seen as “natural”. The Prince of Wales being used and in fact from the age of 11, I would skilfully speaks of “playing at God”. Much more is needed regularly be in the garden when crop-spraying was taking to explain that agriculture has been a fight against “nature” place, with the tractor passing only a few feet away from since the earliest days. The English countryside is no more me. “natural” than Westminster. Throughout the years, I suffered from many debilitating Public enterprise or Private Profit? and recurrent illnesses. We have been persuaded that the real driver is the profit By 1991 my health had deteriorated to such a degree that I hungry Monsanto. ended up in hospital with severe muscle wastage, muscle Level of Control? weakness and other chronic symptoms. It was only then that I started to look at what was in our surrounding The public feels it has no control. Perversely, the extreme environment. acts of Greenpeace et al just add to this feeling. We feel I was astonished to discover that the tractor was actually that we have no choice. spraying “cocktails” of hazardous chemicals into the air Who benefits? where we live and breathe and even more astonished to Them, not us. find out that a farmer is legally permitted to do so under Familiarity? existing government policy. Following extensive investigations and research into the All novel technologies face this dilemma. If they are hyped history of crop-spraying, I started presenting a case to the up to be the answer to all problems and truly Government in 2001 regarding pesticide exposures for revolutionary, then we get scared. In reality most sensible people in agricultural areas and the inadequacy and serious developments are based on a foundation of well-proven fundamental flaws throughout the existing regulations and familiar steps and do not appear out of the blue. GM has monitoring system for pesticides. been presented as a “gee whiz” breakthrough! The current method of assessing the dangers and risks to Concentrated or Diffuse? public health from agricultural spraying, is based on the The nightmare is widespread illness or environmental predictive model of a “bystander” which assumes that there damage. will only be occasional short-term exposure from the spray Are the elderly or children affected? cloud at the time of the application only. It also assumes exposure will only be to one individual pesticide at any Yes! time. Previous Track Record This model is clearly inadequate to address the real-life The authorities’ record on food scares has not been good. long-term exposure of a resident living in an agricultural Hopefully the establishment of the Food Standards Agency area, repeatedly and frequently exposed to mixtures of is helping to fix that, eg recent salmon scare. pesticides and other hazardous chemicals, throughout Understanding? every year and in many cases for decades. There is little or no understanding of GM outside of the The current system does not address long-term exposure to experts. There is a lot to be done if acceptance is to be pesticides in the air, chemical fumes, volatilisation, obtained. transportation or wider dispersion after application and yet once dispersed, pesticide particles and droplets cannot be Defensive Denial? controlled, they are airborne contaminants and can travel There has been lots of this. The previous track record does considerable distances. Studies have shown pesticides

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located miles away from where they were originally overriding priority and must take absolute precedence over applied. any financial, economic or other considerations. Therefore even though crop-spraying has been a Residents and others in the countryside deserve to be predominant feature of agriculture for over 50 years, there protected from avoidable and unnecessary exposures and has never been an appropriate or realistic assessment of the risks to their health. Substantive evidence already exists to risks to health for people who actually live in agricultural demonstrate a serious public health problem and therefore areas and yet pesticides are not supposed to be approved the significance of these consequences requires the for use until risk assessments have been undertaken to adoption of a preventative approach. provide evidence that there will not be a health risk. The only responsible course of action for the EU and UK I have been contacted by people from all over the country Government to take is an immediate ban on crop-spraying reporting acute and chronic long-term illnesses and and the use of pesticides near homes, schools, workplaces diseases in rural communities. I also receive reports from and any other places of human habitation and direct access people all over the world, as this is an international for the public to all the necessary chemical information. problem and is not just confined to the UK and the EU. The overall solution is through the widespread adoption of The most common illnesses reported include various sustainable non-chemical and natural methods to protect cancers, leukaemia, non-Hodgkins lymphoma and not only public health, but also the wider environment for neurological problems, along with many other medical now and for future generations. conditions. Reports of this nature have gone on for Georgina Downs – UK Pesticides Campaigner. decades and yet in relation to the UK there does not appear For further information please see to have been any monitoring for chronic effects and acute www.pesticidescampaign.co.uk effects are commonly dismissed by Government agencies/advisors as being unrelated to pesticide exposure. Sir, On April 23rd 2004, a comprehensive pesticide literature review by the Ontario College of Family Physicians found British Metrication consistent evidence linking pesticide exposure to brain, A hundred years after their Revolution which introduced kidney, prostate and pancreatic cancer as well as leukaemia, the Metric System and sixty years after it was officially non-Hodgkins lymphoma, neurological damage, enforced in 1840 the French were still reluctant to use it. Parkinson’s disease and other serious illnesses and diseases. In his Presidential Address to the members of the The review found that children are particularly vulnerable Institution of Electrical Engineers on 12 November 1903, to the effects of pesticide exposure. Mr Robert Gray told his audience that: The authors concluded that the literature does not support “In France today, precious stones are bought and sold in the concept that some pesticides are safer than others and carats; firewood in cordes; milk in pintes; gravel in toises; recommended that people avoid exposure to all pesticides grain, potatoes and charcoal in boisseaux; wine in whenever and wherever possible. barriques, feuillettes, demi-setiers and chopines; wood for On June 16th 2004 Alun Michael, Defra Minister for Rural construction in pieds, pouces and lignes; beer in canettes Affairs, announced that he had requested a special study to and pots; sugar and coffee, among the poor people, in be undertaken by the Royal Commission on Environmental livres, demi-livres etc. Cattle dealing is in pistoles and Pollution to assess the risk to people from crop-spraying. ecus, and not in francs. Finally, the French Government This study is due to be published in June 2005. has just issued a twenty-five centime piece, doubtless The principal aim of pesticide regulation is supposed to be because it represents a quarter of a franc.” the protection of public health, therefore this has to be the Robert Freer

REPORTS ON MEETINGS FRAME advocates the Three Rs approach to this dilemma, proposed by Russell and Burch, where Replacement of animals in scientific procedures, Reduction of animal use The Sixth Annual FRAME Lecture and Refinement of procedures and housing to reduce suffering, are the three principles accepted world-wide “Animals and Alternatives: Societal Expectations and which form the basis of all attempts to find alternatives to Scientific Need” was the title of the Sixth Annual FRAME animal use in experimentation. Their long-term goal is the Lecture delivered at The Kennel Club on Wednesday 6 total elimination of laboratory animal use through the October by Professor Alan M Goldberg, Director, Johns development, validation and acceptance of replacement Hopkins Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), alternative methods. Until this goal is reached, they also Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA. Lord Soulsby, support efforts to reduce the numbers of animals used Patron of FRAME, welcomed the assembled company on through better science and better experimental design, and behalf of the Fund for the Replacement of Animals in to refine procedures so that the suffering of any animals Medical Experiments (FRAME). necessarily used is minimised. FRAME seeks to promote a FRAME considers that the current scale of animal moderate, but nonetheless determined, approach by experimentation is unacceptable. However, it is recognised encouraging a realistic consideration of the ethical and that immediate abolition of all animal experiments is not scientific issues involved and the widest possible adoption possible. Vital medical research must continue to find of the Three Rs. In his talk Professor Goldberg briefly treatments for diseases which lessen the quality of human described the work of CAAT, which was founded in 1981, and animal life. New consumer products, medicines, and and is the US national centre for all work pertaining to industrial and agricultural chemicals must be adequately introduction of the 3Rs. Currently 200 people around the tested in order to identify potential hazards to human and world take the course on Humane Science which is animal health, and to the environment. available free on line at http://caat.jhsph.edu.

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The complete 6th Annual FRAME lecture by Professor minimise the effects of global warming. A successful Goldberg is also available on the Johns Hopkins website as introduction of DTQs in this country could be extended a PDF file, at http://caat.jhsph.edu/pubs/articles/FRAME2004.pdf world wide as an international system for reducing carbon emissions. Dyslexia and Dyscalculia In opening the meeting Mr Challen said that although the On Monday 1 November The British Psychological Society effects of Climate Change were important for all of us the (BPS) hosted a Seminar in Committee Room 16, Palace of politicians cannot run ahead of the electorate, for instance Westminster from 6.30 to 7.30 to publicise a POSTnote an adviser to the Russian Government was reported to be prepared by Polly Dalton on secondment to the welcoming climate change because it might make more of Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST), Siberia habitable. In Europe a move towards a carbon tax and funded by BPS. This was followed by a reption in the is probably not possible at present and a potential danger Astor Suite, 1 Parliament Street. with the Emissions Trading Scheme is that carbon quotas The speakers on this occasion were Professor Margaret will be dumped on the developing world and the Snowling, Department of Psychology, University of York, developed world will continue with business as usual. Mr speaking on “Dyslexia: Risk and Protective factors”; Challen explained that the idea for a personal carbon Professor Brian Butterworth FBA, Institute of Cognitive allowance had been around since the mid 1990s but it is Neuroscience, University College, London, on “Dyscalculia: only recently with the advent of industrial and European the unrecognised handicap”; and Miss Jean Gross, Senior wide Emissions Trading Schemes (ETS) that the possibility Director, Achievement and Inclusion, Primary National has caught on that the principle of the ETS could be Strategy on “Educational approaches to dyslexia and extended to private individuals. Thirty years ago we lost dyscalculia”. In the chair was Dr Pam Maras, Chair of the our national lead in wind power and today we risk losing Publications & Communications Board, The British our lead in wave and tidal power. In the future we have Psychological Society. the opportunity to export ideas and techniques rather than equipment and products. Dyslexia is a learning difficulty involving problems in acquired literacy skills. Dyscalculia involves specific Mr Meacher, in supporting the idea of DTQs, emphasised difficulties in acquiring arithmetical skills. Dyslexic and the importance of Climate Change on the 24 million dyscalculic learners may have educational needs that differ households in this country and the need to achieve the from those of other learners. Strategies to improve literacy Government's targets for a reduction in greenhouse gas and numeracy might therefore benefit from taking these emissions. Collapse of the ice caps, rising sea levels, groups into account. This POSTnote presents recent retreating forests and increased insurance premiums are research on dyslexia and dyscalculia and outlines current going to affect us all. Mr Blair’s presidency of the EU and educational policies relating to both. It also examines issues the G8 is an opportunity to make the public more aware of such as early identification and ongoing support for dyslexic this problem. and dyscalculic students throughout their education. Mr Thomas focused on the challenges and opportunities for energy suppliers such as Npower. As a nation we need Domestic Tradable Quotas – Tackling to use less energy and to use energy from clean sources. Climate Change with your Personal Between 2002 and 2005 Npower had invested £20 million in energy efficiency and is planning to invest £60 million Allowance of Carbon. between 2005 and 2008. Npower together with On 8th July 2004 Colin Challen MP introduced a Private Greenpeace has set up a company called Juice to supply Members Bill in the House of Commons entitled The energy from renewable sources. In 3 years they have Domestic Tradable Quotas (Carbon Emissions) Bill, and at acquired 40,000 customers and intend to increase this to a subsequent meeting in Portcullis House on 24 November 200,000 customers by 2010. Npower is also conducting a 2004 Dr Richard Starkey from the Tyndall Centre for trial of solar pv panels with 200 customers to try to Climate Change presented a Briefing Note on Domestic integrate the output into the Grid and to pay the Tradable Quotas which he had prepared together with customers, but there is more work to be done to Dr Kevin Anderson. The meeting was hosted by Colin accommodate micro-generation within the supply system. Challen MP and the initial speakers were Michael Meacher MP and Matt Thomas of Npower. Dr Richard Starkey presented a summary of the research work the Tyndall Centre has been doing on DTQs since The Government recognises that dealing with the problem 1997 following the initial work of David Fleming who of Climate Change has become a matter of priority and the established the idea. DTQs are intended to achieve three promoters of this Bill recommend a system of Domestic objectives, the three Es; Equity, Effectiveness and Efficiency. Tradable Quotas (DTQs) as a means of solving the Equity is achieved by ensuring everyone shares equally in problem. The principle of DTQs is to develop a national the national emission rights and allowance of carbon, and system of controlling carbon emissions by placing an the carbon rights are allocated directly to the individual. annual limit on the total amount of carbon dioxide which Some people will need more carbon units according to we in this country should release into the atmosphere each their circumstances including those affected by the three year, and then dividing it equally among everyone in the Cs; Countryside, Children and Climate. It is not intended country. The system would give everyone a personal that children should receive carbon units directly but those allocation of carbon units which they would use every time with children will need extra units. The administrative they buy fuel in any form including gas, electricity and procedures of using the carbon units might require the petrol. Those who use less than their allocation of carbon Government to keep a record of everyone's allocation and units could sell the surplus to those who use more. subsequent transactions to avoid fraud, but the technology Each year the national carbon emissions allocation would is believed to be within the present capacity of the industry. be reduced so that eventually we would meet our target of Although Dr Starkey recognised that in the words of the a 60% reduction in greenhouse gases by the year 2050, Home Affairs Committee the Government's record on the which the Government considers would be a safe level to procurement of large IT systems is “not encouraging”.

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Debates and Selected Parliamentary Questions & Answers

Following is a selection of Debates and Questions and Answers from the House of Commons and House of Lords. A full digest of all Debates, Questions and Answers on topics of scientific interest from 11th October to 21st December 2004 from both Houses of Parliament appears on pages 43 to 50. Health MRSA (Hospitals) Medicinal Cannabis Debate in Westminster Hall on Wednesday 13 October Debate in the House of Commons on Thursday 14 October Mr John Lyons (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) stated that the Peter Bradley (The Wrekin) elaborated an exceptional case National Audit Office reported that about 5,000 people a for medicinal cannabis based on experience in the year are killed in hospitals, at a cost to the NHS, according campaign to legalise medicinal cannabis for those such as to the NAO, of £1 billion a year, a fact that is obviously of Kate Bradley (no relative) a drug squad officer with West major concern to politicians, staff and, of course, patients. Midlands police until medical retirement due to multiple It is creating a situation in which constituents throughout sclerosis. The one medicine that works for her is cannabis the country are now worried about even going into and she is now forced to procure what she regards as her hospital; something must be taken on board and changed. medicine in her wheelchair on the streets from the kind of This can only be done by improving the problem of MRSA people whom she was locking up a few years ago. The in all acute trusts in the United Kingdom. The only problem is that she cannot obtain a suitable supply of her political point to be made is that when sisters, matrons and medicine, thereby suffering physical torment and bitter nursing staff are asked what they feel about MRSA, they say humiliation in the process. they are unhappy about not having control of cleaning The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the staff. Cleaning is a central and crucial issue in the fight Home Department (Caroline Flint) replied that the against MRSA and the response must address four issues: Government are committed to take the necessary hand hygiene, antibiotic prescriptions, hospital cleaning procedures to ensure that if a suitable product derived and rapid testing for MRSA in hospitals. from cannabis can be licensed, it can be provided as a product for people suffering from illnesses that mean that Mr Archie Norman (Tunbridge Wells) reported that BUPA they would benefit from such a drug. Cannabis was hospitals have a negligible incidence of MRSA, a disease reclassified to class C because it is relatively less harmful that results from the way in which hospitals are managed, than drugs in classes A and B. It is not a harmless drug. which in the early and pre-NHS days were obsessive about The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency discipline. Cleanliness must be a total culture. However, (MHRA), an executive agency of the Department of Health, in 2003 no NHS hospital had a poor cleanliness record has been assessing an application made by GW (basically visual measures), with 78.7 per cent of hospitals Pharmaceuticals for its cannabis-based product, Sativex. described as having “good” cleanliness records, yet there is We hope there is a speedy conclusion to the agency’s a continuously rising and internationally high level of investigation into Sativex as a possible solution to many MRSA. Hence this essentially visual inspection method is people’s pain. The importance of this issue to many people missing the point and must be changed with more is recognised which should be resolved as soon as possible investment in measuring MRSA incidence and its and a meeting will be convened with Lord Warner, the prevalence in the wards. Under-Secretary of State for Health to see what can be done to bring the issue to a conclusion more quickly. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Miss Melanie Johnson) replied that MRSA has become a Diabetes greater problem in the UK because the strains responsible for most of the infections here are better adapted to Debate in the House of Commons on Tuesday 16 November spreading between patients than in other countries. Hand Mr David Amess (Southend, West) stated that it was his hygiene is important. In September the first ever national good fortune to be able to debate diabetes with the hand hygiene campaign was launched. Handrubs will be Minister on the day that the Government introduced the required at all staff-patient contact points. It is important White Paper on public health, since obesity is very closely that matrons and ward sisters are in control of cleaning linked to the increase in diabetes. According to Diabetes staff, who form part of the ward team, and to make sure UK, since 1996 the number of people diagnosed with that they are able to maintain and have oversight of the diabetes has increased from 1.4 million to 1.8 million and wards. The problem is cultural but hospitals have it is estimated that almost 3 million people will be suffering incentives and resources to tackle the problem in a from diabetes by the end of the decade. There has been a fundamental way. huge increase and almost 1 million people are

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undiagnosed. There are two types of diabetes. Type 1 is June 2001 by the United Nations General Assembly, insulin-dependent with an early onset in childhood. It is followed in July 2001 by the launch of a new Global Fund not associated with obesity. Type 2 diabetes is non-insulin to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria at the G8 summit. dependent and has a later onset. Patients still produce In June 2002 the Global Fund board approved the first some insulin, but that is inadequate. Blood sugar levels are round of grants to 36 countries. It has approved $3 billion controlled through diet, exercise, medication or different of grants to more than 300 programmes in more than 120 combinations of these and is very much associated with countries. The Global Fund is not the only weapon against obesity. Around two-thirds of the population of England AIDS, TB and Malaria. The £150 million promised by the are overweight or obese. Obesity has grown by almost 400 UK to the Global Fund is only a part of the £1.5 billion per cent in the last 25 years and on present trends will that the UK will spend on the international fight against soon pass smoking as the greatest cause of premature HIV/AIDS over the next three years. The Global Fund has death. It will entail levels of sickness that will put got off to a reasonable start and substantial sums have been enormous strains on the health service. On some raised, awarded and disbursed to combat these three predictions today’s generation of children will be the first diseases which cause more than 6 million preventable for more than a century for whom life expectancy falls. deaths every year. The economic costs of obesity are between £3.3 billion and The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for £3.7 billion a year. Most of the 1.8 million diabetics in the International Development (Mr Gareth Thomas) in his UK are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. That is absolutely response pointed out that there are 60 million people with shocking testimony to the way things are. AIDS hence the UK recently published its strategy on The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health HIV/AIDS for the next three years in support of the global (Dr Stephen Ladyman) in his response congratulated effort scale-up on the epidemic in the developing world. Diabetes UK on its work in the community raising TB is the fourth most common cause of death from awareness and supporting those who have the condition. communicable disease, and multi-drug resistant TB is an Research is ongoing into the best means of screening for increasing problem. About 100 countries have malaria. type 2 diabetes. The Medical Research Council is the body The three epidemics feed off each other. that would provide Government funding for general research. Type 2 diabetes tends to run in families and is The UK works with and funds the work of other equally more common in Asian and African-Caribbean crucial international bodies, including UNAIDS, the World communities. When researching for the speech, the most Health Organisation and UNICEF and organisations such horrifying statistic uncovered was that diabetes is estimated as the Gates Foundation, the Clinton Foundation and to account for 5 per cent. of total NHS spending – a huge major pharmaceutical companies, especially to increase amount of money spent on a single condition. The access to and reduce the cost of drugs. Support is also population comprises a complex cultural mix that is given to key non-governmental organisations. The work of becoming more overweight, obese and inactive and more Christian Aid and the International HIV/AIDS Alliance is prone to diabetes, hence the national service framework greatly appreciated. (NSF) for diabetes was published in December 2001. Good progress is already being made by the Diabetes NSF. Hospital-acquired Infections For example 86 per cent of Primary Care Trusts are part of Debate in the House of Lords on Wednesday 1 December a whole system diabetes network. In July 2004 a new joint Baroness Gardner of Parkes rose to call attention to public service agreement target was set for the Department Government health policies, with particular reference to of Health, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport initiatives designed to reduce hospital-acquired infections. and the Department for Education and Skills, aiming to This debate could well be called a debate on hospitalism, halt the year on year rise in obesity among children under the name applied in the mid-19th century to the often fatal 11 by 2010 in the broader strategy to tackle obesity in the post-operative infection. “The operation was a success, but population as a whole. the patient died,” was the famous saying. Now we have hospital-acquired infection. In the 1950s, strains of AIDS/TB/Malaria (Global Fund) staphylococcus aureus became resistant to penicillin and by Debate in Westminster Hall on Tuesday 16 November the 1960s strains were developing resistance to a stronger Dr Gavin Strang (Edinburgh, East and Musselburgh) drew antibiotic, methicillin. This resistant strain, methicillin attention to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis resistant staphlococcus aureus is now commonly known as and Malaria. The millennium declaration stated in MRSA. The only treatment now is with an even more September 2000 that goal number six is to combat powerful antibiotic, vancomycin, which has unfortunate HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases. About 190 renal side effects. Resistance to that, vancomycin resistant countries have signed up to the millennium goals and the staphlococcus aureus, VRSA, is now being reported. The Department for International Development has made them National Audit Office says that the best estimate for the the main focus of its work. The associated targets and cost of hospital-acquired infection or “hospitalism” is indicators commit the international community to halt and around £1 billion a year. begin to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS, malaria and Lord Soulsby of Swaffham Prior pointed out that the tuberculosis by 2015. In April 2001 Kofi Annan European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System in announced his proposal for a global fund supported in 2002 identified the United Kingdom as having the highest

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level of resistant MRSA bloodstream infections as a of major pharmaceutical companies to invest in new proportion of all staphylococcus aureus bloodstream antibiotics in view of the cost and the short clinical life due infections in Europe – that is, 43.9 per cent. Nearly 50 per to antibiotic resistance. The Infectious Diseases Society of cent of all bloodstream aureus infections were resistant. America has stated that as antibiotic discovery stagnates, a That is compared with the system in Sweden where the public health crisis brews. figure is 0.7 per cent and in Denmark where it is 0.9 per cent. Those two countries have both taken very strong Lord Warner stated that tackling healthcare-acquired measures to control antibiotic resistance in general, infections is a key priority for the Government. MRSA including the abolition of the use of antibiotics as growth infections are not spread equally across the NHS. One fifth promoters in livestock. This may seem a long way from of trusts account for almost half of all MRSA bloodstream resistance in hospitals but there most likely is a connection infections and around 80 per cent of all MRSA cases are because there is an increasing and massive environmental concentrated in around 50 per cent of hospital trusts. The contamination of the genes of resistant organisms generally cleanliness figures from 2003 show that 78 per cent of spread throughout the environment, derived from massive trusts were assessed as “good” on cleanliness and 22 per use of antibiotics in medical, veterinary and horticultural cent as “acceptable” showing a significant improvement on circumstances. This can be called genetic zoonosis, previous periods. A cleaning manual has been issued to whereby the genes of the resistant organisms are very the NHS setting out the best ways to clean hospitals. The widespread. It should be remembered that there is a far Government is determined to reduce healthcare-associated greater population of bacteria – the commensals – that are infections by creating extra capacity in the NHS and also exposed. They become resistant and transmit implementing an evidence-based programme to identify resistance to other commensals and other pathogens. That the actions which will make a difference and drive these is an increasing problem that Defra is now taking up to forward by setting clear targets and offering support to study in greater detail. One consequence is the reluctance trusts which need help.

Energy Renewable Energy phenomenal success of the 100,000 roofs programme Debate in Westminster Hall on Tuesday 16th November there. Capacity in photovoltaic electricity increased from 40 MW in 1997 to 400 MW by 2003, with a 50% market Ian Lucas (Wrexham) stated that the renewables growth in 2003. The German government, in contrast obligation seeks to ensure that 10 per cent of our with the UK, concencentrated on revenue rather than electricity is produced from renewable sources by 2010. capital support. They specified a fixed long term price According to the DTI’s digest of UK energy statistics, for electricity produced from PV cells that brought during the year to 31 March 2004, 3.3 per cent of UK certainty to the market for PV manufacturers, whereas in energy was attributable to renewable sources. Progress in the UK it takes 70 years to recover installation costs, the UK is overwhelmingly in the sphere of wind power; compared with only 17 years in Germany. He concluded however the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales that he looked forward to PV cells being as commonplace has a particularly negative attitude to onshore wind as double glazing and he was sure that a way could be power. Even offshore wind power is causing a great deal found to encourage a more diverse renewables base in the of controversy. Wind is becoming an increasingly UK. controversial renewable energy source and the renewables obligation needs to be refined to allow other forms of The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (John Healey) renewable energy to prosper. pointed out that the policies under review arose from the energy White Paper of February 2003 and the four goals Mr Andy Reed (Loughborough) asked whether in therein: to cut carbon dioxode emissions by 60 per cent addition to producing renewables through wind turbines, by 2050, maintain reliability of energy supply, promote was it not also important that British industry succeeds in competitive markets in the UK and beyond and ensure providing these turbines? DeWind in his constituency every home is adequately and affordably heated. Early has now ceased operating in the wind turbine market as it indications are that the renewables obligation is working was unable to secure contracts in the UK and abroad. well, with investor confidence growing. In 2003, 2.2 per The big players are squeezing out some of the new cent of electricity was supplied by sources that are eligible companies. Fiscal measures are needed to assist British under the renewables obligation and it is expected that by firms on making use of the growth in renewables and 2010 wind will provide 7 to 8 per cent and, of this, half benefiting local economies. will be from onshore sources with the rest coming from Ian Lucas (Wrexham) was delighted that the Sharp large-scale hydro and landfill gases. A review of the Manufacturing Company of Japan had recently opened its renewables obligation will begin soon in 2005-6 and take European manufacturing base for photovoltaic cells in account of carbon prices under the new EU emissions Wrexham, although the prime market for these cells is trading scheme. The DTI (not the Treasury) is leading not the UK, but Germany, as most of the PV cells the review for completion by December 2005. A central produced in Wrexham are exported due to the consideration will be delivery of the 2010 target.

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Hydrogen Technology The Minister for Energy and E-Commerce (Mr Mike Debate in House of Commons on Monday 20 December O’Brien) in his response indicated that commercialisation of exclusively cell-driven vehicles is unlikely before 2020. Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland) stated that The Department of Trade and Industry recently the Promoting Unst Renewable Energy – PURE – project in commissioned a study to develop a strategic framework for Shetland uses renewable energy to produce hydrogen by hydrogen energy. The Department is also working very electrolysis to provide a direct fossil fuel substitute. It has closely with the US Government who have embarked on a shown that it is technically possible to produce the island’s significant programme to create an international strategy in energy needs without any carbon emissions and for the order to drive forward broad-based scientific knowledge. local community to own the means of production and The potential for the future long-term development could thereby empower some of the most economically fragile be quite significant. Hydrogen is of particular relevance to and peripheral communities. The project demonstrates the remote areas of the UK with strong renewable energy production of hydrogen from wind power, the storage of resources. The UK Sustainable Hydrogen Energy wind power in the form of hydrogen, the conversion of Consortium established under the Supergen programme is stored hydrogen back to electricity available on demand undertaking research on solid state hydrogen storage and and the use of automotive fuel for a car converted to run techno-socio-economic analysis on the hydrogen economy. on hydrogen by a Shetland graduate. However, in The Department of Trade and Industry is the champion comparison with the United States, Canada, Germany and department for the hydrogen highway in which the UK Japan the UK Government’s commitment has so far been hopes to take a leading role in taking forward the lukewarm and public investment minimal leaving the UK development of hydrogen energy. behind other countries in developing a hydrogen economy.

Information Technology Critical National Infrastructure Lord Bassam of Brighton thanked all contributors to the Debate in the House of Lords on Thursday 9 December short but very valuable debate. The CNI consists of 10 Lord Harris of Haringey rose to ask Her Majesty’s sectors – communications, energy, finance, government and Government whether they are satisfied with the ability of public services, water and sewerage, health, emergency the critical national infrastructure (CNI) to withstand services, transport, hazards and public safety, and food. cyber-attack. On 4 May 2000 the “Love Bug” virus caused The remit of NISCC is to minimise the risk of electronic the parliamentary network to be shut down. In 2003 the attack against the CNI. Both Government and private sector inputs are combined to advise Government on the “Slammer” worm infected more than 300,000 servers in ability of the CNI to resist electronic attack on a 24/7 basis. less than 15 minutes, the “Blaster” worm infected more The UK is a leader in this important field that others wish than half a million PCs, the “Sobig” worm turned tens of to emulate. These include information sharing. The thousands of PCs into a network sending out spam, and NISCC hosted the first European conference on the “Welchia” and “Nachi” worms disabled corporate supervisory, control and data acquisition (SCADA) issues. networks for several days. Another information sharing concept on warning, advice The National Infrastructure Security Co-ordination Centre and reporting points (WARPS) – encourages formation of (NISCC) holds a pivotal role dealing with these issues, self-help groups outside the CNI. NISCC started the although it is only an advisory body with each element of Aviation Security Information Exchange and works with the CNI responsible for its own defence. For example, the London Underground, Network Rail, Transport for London Ministry of Defence has reported 71 instances when and Eurotunnel. malicious programs compromised the security of its The NISCC is interdepartmental with about 90 civil system. One of those was the LovGate virus that affected servants engaged full time who work with additional more than 4,000 MoD computers at more than 30 sites, private sector staff. In addition, the High Tech Crime Unit, that took 4 weeks to eliminate. The Coastguard Service a partner agency with the NISCC, was established within also fell victim to the “Sasser” worm through failure to the National Crime Squad which together with the recently implement a Microsoft patch in a timely manner. established Serious Organised Crime Agency will also help The NISCC is an ad hoc inter-agency group with no in future. A department of homeland security is therefore statutory basis, with both its funding and future unsecured, not required. Ministerial accountability is distributed, with with inadequate resources to conduct its mission on a 24/7 the Home Secretary leading at Cabinet Level, supported by basis. The work of the NISCC is not criticised but some Nick Raynsford as Minister for civil resilience, Hazel Blears regulation is thought to be necessary. The Government as Minister for counter-terrorism and Ruth Kelly as should be able to establish minimum standards for the Minister responsible for the Civil Contingencies Secretariat. design and operation of the components of the CNI and The Cabinet Office co-ordinates activity across Government there should be a system of certification of each operator’s under the Security and Intelligence Co-ordinator, Sir David arrangements with facilities for validation and security Omand, thus providing a clearly understood and definable testing. structure.

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Environment Marine Environment Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton thanked all those who Debate in the House of Lords on Monday 13 December had taken part in the debate. The Government’s vision for Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer rose to ask Her the marine environment is a simple one – clean, healthy, Majesty’s Government what is the current state of the marine safe, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas, environment and what progress has been made in as set out in the first Marine Stewardship Report in 2002, establishing a marine landscape classification. Successive together with a package of reviews and initiatives seeking Governments have given the marine environment to turn this vision into reality. pathetically little attention and the attention given by the On the other hand, current common fisheries policy media to the report of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (RCEP), Turning the Tide, is regulation leads to discards of fish, that must be addressed. warmly welcomed. The report addresses the impact of Many commercially exploited fish stocks are in a seriously fisheries on the marine environment. Its conclusions make depleted state due to overfishing. Bottom trawling stark reading although it is not the first to raise the alarm damages fragile marine habitats resulting in high mortality about the appalling state of the marine environment and the rates among cetaceans such as dolphins and porpoises in very pressing need for Government action. The UK the by-catch. The Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit report on Government must act urgently and do everything within its a sustainable fishing industry for the UK, Net Benefits power, while negotiating the reform of the common fisheries published last March makes wide-ranging policy, to make some of the changes that they have the recommendations on fisheries policy. The report of the power to make in UK waters because fish stocks are certainly Review of Marine Fisheries and Environmental in crisis. There has been a crash in fish stocks so serious Enforcement was published in July. Concerning that we face the death of an ecosystem. That will affect not enforcement against foreign fishing vessels, sea fisheries only marine life but all life that depends on the sea, such as committees only operate within the zero to six-mile zone sea birds and the fishing communities themselves. Work in where foreign vessels are not allowed to fish. Beyond the Lyme Bay to regenerate the whole of the bay for the benefit six-mile limit enforcement is carried out by the Sea of local fishing communities and in the Irish sea on mapping the underwater environment to protect fish spawning Fisheries Inspectorate where all vessels are treated similarly. grounds have both been successful. Sustainable solutions The RCEP report will be given careful consideration. such as these are needed which can be managed with local Withdrawal from the common fisheries policy will not involvement by local fisheries committees. solve any of the current problems.

Education Exeter University university is working very closely with students to ensure Written Answer given on 14th December to questions to the that all their individual needs are met. The Higher Education Secretary of State for Trade and Industry from Dr Ian Gibson Funding Council for England (HEFCE) will continue to (Norwich N) and Dr Brian Iddon MP (Bolton SE) monitor the situation closely. Ms Hewitt: Officials in the Department were informed of The Department has not received any reports of other the proposed closure of Exeter's undergraduate chemistry university chemistry departments that may be experiencing provision in early November by officials at the Department financial difficulty. for Education and Skills (DfES). DfES was advised The quality of chemistry research in English universities has informally by the Vice-Chancellor of the proposed closure increased significantly. 50 per cent of departments were rated 5 in early November, prior to the formal announcement on or 5* in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) 22 November. compared with only 20 per cent in 1996. However, recognising My noble Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of concerns about future capacity to teach certain key disciplines, State for Science and Innovation, has discussed this issue on 1 December the Secretary of State for the Department for with both the Higher Education Minister at the Department Education and Skills wrote to HEFCE requesting advice on for Education and Skills and the Chief Executive of the higher education subjects or courses of national strategic Higher Education Funding Council for England. importance, including chemistry, where intervention might be appropriate to strengthen or secure them. HEFCE will be Both my noble Friend and I have received representations entering into a strategic dialogue with universities, colleges, from the Royal Society of Chemistry. Lord Sainsbury met employers and other partners to consider this matter. with the Royal Society of Chemistry on 8 December. A small number of letters from other HE institutions, Science and innovation is one of my Department's key students, staff, and individuals have also been received. priorities: we will therefore continue to work closely with There have been no representations from either business or DfES, the Funding Councils and others to provide a robust, the South West Regional Development Agency. world-class research base, and delivering the Government's vision for science and innovation set out in the Science and Higher education institutions (HEIs) are autonomous Innovation Investment Framework 2004–2014. organisations and as such are responsible for their own academic direction and strategic use of funds. The decision Our Departments and the Higher Education Funding to close undergraduate chemistry provision is therefore a Council for England will continue to work closely together matter for Exeter university alone. I understand that Exeter on this issue.

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UK Parliament - Digest of Parliamentary Debates, Questions and Answers 11th October – 21st December 2004

The references are to Hansard, giving first the date of publication, either HoC (House of Commons) or HoL (House of Lords), and finally the column number in Hansard. *Denotes selected Debates and Questions and Answers of particular interest which are reproduced on pages 38 to 42.

Agriculture Animal Rights Activism: Arrests – 16.11.04 HoL WA139 Agriculture Strategy – 13.10.04 HoC 265W Extremists – 2.11.04 HoC 185W Biosecurity – debate – 14.10.04 HoL 425 Illegal Activities – 11.10.04 HoL WA23 Five-year Strategy – 8.12.04 HoC 98WS Protesters – 4.10.04 HoC 1893W Horticultural Imports – 13.12.04 HoC 807W Animal Testing – 27.10.04 HoC 1272W, 2.11.04 HoC Horticulture – 11.10.04 HoC 93W 185W & 3.11.04 HoC 291W Animal Welfare – 20.10.04 HoC 721W & 27.10.04 HoC Orchards – 16.11.04 HoC 1253W 1273W Plant and Animal Disease Diagnostics – 19.10.04 HoC 560W Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act – 15.12.04 HoC 141WS Cosmetics (Animal Testing) – 13.10.04 HoC 317W EU REACH Directive – 11.11.04 HoC 812W Animal Health and Welfare Imutran – 4.10.04 HoC 1908W Animal Health and Welfare Strategy – 26.10.04 HoL National Centre for Replacement, Refinement and WA119 Reduction – 2.12.04 HoC 231W Animal Welfare – 15.10.04 HoC 411W Scientific Procedures – 17.11.04 HoC 1603W Aquariums – 21.10.04 HoC 825W Tobacco Smoke Testing – 3.11.04 HoC 310W Beak Trimming – 15.11.04 HoC 981W Victims of Animal Rights Extremism – 16.11.04 HoL WA140 Bee Disease – 20.12.04 HoC 1342W Xenotransplantation – 8.12.04 HoC 650W & 15.12.04 Beekeeping – 29.11.04 HoC 19W HoC 1193W Bees – 9.11.04 HoC 576W, 16.11.04 HoC 1238W & 6.12.04 HoC 271W Aviation Birds of Prey – 15.11.04 HoC 982W Aerospace Industry – 16.12.04 HoL WA106 Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety – 9.12.04 HoC 674W Air Navigation Services – 1.11.04 HoC 7W Cattle Vaccinations – 11.10.04 HoC 88W Air Passengers (Chemical Exposure) – 7.12.04 HoC 419W CITES Import Permits – 10.11.04 HoC 684W Air Quality (Aircraft Cabins) – 18.10.04 HoC 433W & Contagious Equine Metritis – 9.11.04 HoC 578W 11.11.04 HoC WA100 Dangerous Wild Animal Licences – 15.11.04 HoC 997W Air Safety – 8.11.04 HoC 485W European Foulbrood – 20.12.04 HoC 1347W Aircraft Air – 21.12.04 HoC 1645W Foot and Mouth – 15.11.04 HoC 1015W & 30.11.04 HoL 381 Emissions – 9.11.04 HoC 575W, 10.11.04 HoC 683W Vaccine – 15.10.04 HoC 410W & 15.11.04 HoC 979W Imported Primates – 4.10.04 HoC 1933W & 8.11.04 HoC Pollution – 6.12.04 HoC 382W 504W Transponders – 26.10.04 HoC 1114W National Bee Unit – 20.12.04 HoL WA134 Aviation – 20.10.04 HoC 683W Scrapie:Defra-funded Research – 26.10.04 HoL WA121 & Emissions – 26.10.04 HoC 1114W Fuel – 28.10.04 HoC 1308W 27.10.04 HoL WA133 Emissions – 8.11.04 HoC 491W Smuggling of Products of Animal Origin – 21.12.04 HoL Eurocontrol – 27.10.04 HoC 1226W WA140 Exxon Mobil Jet Oil – 7.12.04 HoC 420W Sonar 2087 – 15.11.04 HoL WA109 Heathrow – 9.11.04 HoC 581W State Veterinary Service – 29.11.04 HoC 16WS Veterinary Services – 11.10.04 HoC 99W, 15.11.04 HoC Biodiversity 1035W, 2.12.04 HoC 190W & 13.12.04 HoC 814W Albatross – 15.11.04 HoC 980W Bats (Churches) – adjournment debate – 19.10.04 HoC 865 Biodiversity – 6.12.04 HoL WA30 & 13.12.04 HoC 796W Animal Experiments Action Plan – 4.10.04 HoC 1919W Animal Experimentation – 4.10.04 HoC 1894W, 11.10.04 Biosafety: Cartagena Protocol – 15.11.04 HoL WA119 HoC 161W & 18.11.04 HoC 2038W Bird Populations – 21.10.04 826W & 16.11.04 HoC 1240W Animal Experiments – 17.11.04 HoC 1567W, 8.12.04 Birds – 14.10.04 HoC 375W HoC 624W & 15.12.04 HoC 1162W Cetaceans – 19.10.04 HoL WA80 & 9.11.04 HoL WA69

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CITES – 4.10.04 HoC 1921W, 11.10.04 HoC 89W, Deer/Bovine TB – 17.11.04 HoC 1472W 20.10.04 HoC 694W, 21.10.04 HoC 830W, 27.10.04 HoC Tuberculosis – 1.12.04 HoC 117W 1217W, 17.11.04 HoC 1472W & 20.12.04 HoC 157WS Import Permits – 15.11.04 HoC 987W BSE and CJD Commercial Whaling – 15.12.04 HoC 1099W BSE – 11.10.04 HoC 85W & 14.10.04 HoC 332W Conservation – 26.10.04 HoC 1092W Testing – 20.12.04 HoL WA134 Corals – 20.10.04 HoC 695W CJD Surveillance Unit – 18.10.04 HoL WS30 & HoC 33WS Cormorants – 4.10.04 HoC 1922W & 11.10.04 HoC 90W New Variant CJD – 11.10.04 HoC 95W & 131W Dolphins – 18.11.04 HoL WA228 OverThirty Months Rule – 1.12.04 HoC 35WS Endangered Species – 15.11.04 HoC 1001W vCJD – 28.10.04 HoL 1395 & 18.11.04 HoL 1603 Falconry – 15.11.04 HoC 1011W Flies – 25.10.04 HoC 958W Chemicals Fox Hunting – 4.11.04 HoC 353W Chemical Exposure – 26.10.04 HoC 1190W Grey Squirrel – 21.10.04 HoC 836W, 27.10.04 HoL Chemicals Industry – 18.10.04 HoC 447W, 20.10.04 HoC WA132 & 3.11.04 HoC 255W 759W & 25.10.04 HoC 995W Invasive Non-native Species – 27.10.04 HoL WA132 European Chemicals Agency – 4.10.04 HoC 1928W Irrawaddy Dolphin – 11.10.04 HoC 93W Japanese Knotweed – 4.10.04 HoC 1936W Lions – 4.10.04 HoC 1937W, 11.10.04 HoC 94W & Organophosphate Victims – 19.10.04 HoC 560W 27.10.04 HoC 1221W Organophosphates –15.12.04 HoC 1105W Magpies – 1.11.04 HoC 4W Health Studies – 11.11.04 HoL WA97 Peat Bogs – 4.10.04 HoC 1938W Pesticides – 16.11.04 HoC 1253W & 15.12.04 HoL WA98 Peregrine Falcon – 1.12.04 HoC 117W And Herbicides – 18.11.04 HoC 1994W Ramin – 9.12.04 HoC 682W Disposal – 16.11.04 HoL WA156 Raptors – 21.10.04 HoC 1013, 15.11.04 HoC 1032W, Residues – 15.11.04 HoC 1031W 18.11.04 HoC 2029W & 13.12.04 HoC 809W Pyridostigmine Bromide and Organophosphates – 18.11.04 Red Squirrels – 19.10.04 HoL WA79, 21.10.04 HoC HoL WA194 840W & HoL WA102 & 25.10.04 HoC 965W REACH – 4.10.04 HoC 1940W & 26.10.04 HoC 1091W Saker Falcons – 9.12.04 HoC 683W Seals – 15.11.04 HoL WA123 Climate Change Squirrels – 11.10.04 HoL WA40 Aviation (Emissions) – 27.10.04 HoC 1225W SSSIs – 2.11.04 HoC 151W Carbon Dioxide Emissions – 10.11.04 HoC 683W, 14.10.04 HoC 344W, 25.10.04 HoC 974W & 21.12.04 Biological and Chemical Weapons HoC 1513W Anthrax Terrorism – 9.11.04 HoC 606W Carbon Emissions – 21.10.04 HoC 1018 & 7.12.04 HoC Biological Weapons Convention – 21.12.04 HoC 169WS 465W & HoL WS111 Carbon Sinks – 27.10.04 HoC 1217W BMA Report: Biotechnology, Weapons and Humanity II – Climate Change – 21.10.04 HoC 829W, 26.10.04 HoL 6.12.04 HoL 653 1165, 2.11.04 HoC 203W, 15.11.04 HoC 988W, 18.11.04 Smallpox Vaccine – 11.11.04 HoC 872W HoC 1450 & 2001W, 6.12.04 HoC 280W & 21.12.04 HoC 1514W Biotechnology Emissions – 6.12.04 HoC 273W, 9.12.04 HoC 676W & Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission – 13.12.04 HoC 804W 2.12.04 HoC 62WS & HoL WS35 Trading – 15.12.04 HoC 992W Bright Report – 13.12.04 HoC 800W Energy Consumption/Emission Levels – 2.12.04 HoC 219W Genetically Modified Organisms – 19.10.04 HoL WA77 Environment – 13.12.04 HoC 896W GM Crops – 11.10.04 HoC 55W, 12.10.04 HoC 225W & EU Emissions Trading Scheme – 27.10.04 HoC 49WS 834W, 25.10.04 HoC 959W, 17.11.04 HoC 1482W, GDP/Greenhouse Gases – 9.12.04 HoC 681W 1.12.04 HoC 115W & 7.12.04 HoC 408W Global Warming – 21.10.04 HoC 825W GM Food and Feed Regulation – 21.10.04 HoC 835W Greenhouse Gases – 21.10.04 HoC 836W, 25.10.04 HoC GM Oilseed Rape – 15.12.04 HoC 1102W 960W, 27.10.04 HoC 1220W, 11.11.04 HoC 816W & GM Seed Directive – 4.10.04 HoC 1931W 18.11.04 HoC 2022W Hydrofluorocarbon Emissions – 4.10.04 HoC 1932W Bovine Tuberculosis Hydrofluorocarbons – 10.11.04 HoC 685W Badgers – 15.11.04 HoL WA120 & 20.12.04 HoL WA133 Kyoto Protocol – 17.11.04 HoC 1483W, 8.11.04 HoL 610 Bovine TB – 4.10.04 HoC 1920W, 11.10.04 HoC 84W, & 18.11.04 HoC 2024W 13.10.04 HoC 310W, 15.10.04 HoC 410W, 15.11.04 HoC 983W & 13.12.04 HoC 797W Construction Deer – 16.11.04 HoC 1240W Building Regulations (Fuel Conservation) – 15.11.04 HoC Bovine Tuberculosis – 11.10.04 HoL WA39, 21.10.04 HoL 1209W 924, 15.11.04 HoL WA127, 18.11.04 HoL WA225, Energy Efficiency – 20.12.04 HoC 1492W 29.11.04 HoL 259 & 20.12.04 HoL 1527 Red Ash – 15.11.04 HoC 1220W

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Defence Field Trips – 21.12.04 HoC 1699W Aerospace Defence Technology – 29.11.04 HoC 353 Further and Higher Education – 4.10.04 HoC 23W Airborne Stand-off Radar – 26.10.04 HoC 1205W Health Education – 2.11.04 HoC 172W Apache AH1 Attack Helicopter – 17.11.04 HoL WA172 Higher Education Costs – 3.11.04 HoC 284W Arrowhead – 9.12.04 HoL WA48 Courses of National Strategic Importance – 1.12.04 Bowman Radios – 19.10.04 HoC 590W, 15.11.04 HoC HoC 34WS & HoL WS30 1045W & HoL WA107, 17.11.04 HoL 1434 & HoL WA171 Keele University – 20.12.04 HoC 1368W Defence Diversification Agency/Council – 4.10.04 HoC 1868W Mathematics – 4.10.04 HoC 1806W Geographic and Imagery Intelligence Agency Key A-level – 21.10.04 HoC 847W Targets – 17.11,04 HoC 89WS & HoL WS66 Teachers – 30.11.04 HoL 376 Industrial Policy – 20.12.04 HoL WA114 Teaching – 2.12.04 HoC 776 Procurement – 29.11.04 HoC 351 Medicine – 18.11.04 HoC 2139W Procurement – debate – 4.11.04 HoC 468 OECD PISA Survey 2003 – 9.12.04 HoC 775W Future Offensive Air System – 1.11.04 HoC 102W Part-time Students – 3.11.04 HoC 285W Future Rapid Effect System – 4.10.04 HoC 1873W, Research Council Funding – 11.10.04 HoC 26W 19.10.04 HoC 592W, 1.11.04 HoC 101W, 16.11.04 HoC School Trips – 10.11.04 HoL 888 76WS & HoL WS56 Schools (Field Work) – adjournment debate – 1.11.04 Galileo Positioning System – 11.10.04 HoL WA9 HoC 143 Helicopter Procurement – 19.10.04 HoC 592W Science Courses – 18.11.04 HoC 2156W JAMES 1 – 25.10.04 HoL WA106 Science in Higher Education – 18.11.04 HoC 2157W Science Teachers – 9.12.04 HoC 777W Missile Defence – 12.10.04 HoL WS18, 3.11.04 HoC Science Teaching – 2.12.04 HoC 208W 271W & 6.12.04 HoC 340W Scientists in Higher Education – 10.11.04 HoC 758W Naval Navigational Aids – 16.11.04 HoC 1288W Student Numbers – 3.11.04 HoC 288W Naval Ship Construction – 21.10.04 HoL WA93 Teachers: Qualifications – 26.10.04 HoL 1168 Porton Down: the death of Ronald Maddison – 21.12.04 Teaching Qualifications – 18.10.04 HoC 543W HoL WS118 Tomlinson Working Group – statement – 18.10.04 HoC 644 Provigil – 4.10.04 HoC 1887W, 11.10.04 HoC 65W, Undergraduate Chemistry Teaching – 9.12.04 HoC 779W 12.10.04 HoC 189W & 28.10.04 HoC 1371W Universities: Chemistry Departments – 16.12.04 HoL WA105 Research and Development – 14.12.04 HoC 1030W Science – 21.12.04 HoC 1718W Royal Navy Test Reactor – 20.12.04 HoC 1373W University Admissions Policy – debate – 25.10.04 1145 Science and Technology Laboratory – 18.11.04 HoC 1841W Veterinary Medicine – 7.12.04 HoC 439W & 9.12.04 Sonar 2087 – 9.12.04 HoC 691W HoC 780W Support Vehicle Contract – 12.10.04 HoL WS18 Energy Defence (Gulf War) Biodiesel – 11.10.04 HoC 84W Anthrax (Gulf War) – 6.12.04 HoC 336W Bioenergy – 11.10.04 HoC 113W Gulf Veterans’ Illnesses – 4.11.04 HoC 13WS & HoL WS13 Biomass Energy Industry – 11.10.04 HoC 114W Medical Assessment Programme: Dr Tony Hall – Biomass Task Force – 13.12.04 HoC 797W 11.10.04 HoL WA8 British Energy – 11.10.04 HoL WS7 & 14.12.04 HoC 1051W Gulf War 1990-91: Vaccines – 1.11.04 HoL WA8 European Commission State Aid Approval – 11.10.04 Gulf War Illnesses – debate – 21.12.04 HoL 1717 HoC 4WS Gulf War Syndrome – 25.10.04 HoC 945W, 13.12.04 HoC Carbon Sequestration – 4.10.04 HoC 1849W & 19.10.04 911W & 21.12.04 HoL WA146 HoC 642W Medical Testing – 20.10.04 HoC 714W Coal – 17.11.04 HoC 1616W & 2.12.04 HoC 216W Veterans’ Illnesses (Gulf War) – 6.12.04 HoC 341W Mine Methane – 13.10.04 HoC 317W & 18.10.04 Gulf War-related Illnesses – 29.11.04 HoC 354 HoC 545W Mining – 20.12.04 HoC 1403W Education Electricity – 10.11.04 HoC 763W Academic Performance – 9.12.04 HoC 762W Generation – 4.11.04 HoC 358W Agricultural Students – 16.12.04 HoC 1283W & 21.12.04 Energy Efficient Buildings (EU Directive) – 11.11.04 HoC HoC 1690W 844W A-Level Mathematics – 3.11.04 HoC 279W Policy – 26.10.04 HoC 1273 & 4.11.04 HoL 423 Chemistry Department (Exeter University) – 9.12.04 HoC Projections – 2.11.04 HoC 207W 762W Research – 1.11.04 HoC 86W Doctorates – 21.12.04 HoC 1697W Supplies – 30.11.04 HoC 76W Education:14-19 Reform – statement – 18.10.04 HoL 553 Fallow Field Initiative – 4.11.04 HoC 362W Educational Psychologists – 19.10.04 HoC 618W Fuel Generation (Research and Development) – 21.10.04 EU Education Committees – 2.11.04 HoC 164W HoC 877W * Exeter University – 9.12.04 HoC 763W, 14.12.04 HoC Gas – 4.11.04 HoC 363W 1053W & 20.12.04 HoC 1366W Gas (EUC Report) – debate – 5.11.04 HoL 577

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Hydrogen Power – 27.10.04 HoC 1243W Sonar 2087 – 21.10.04 HoL WA92 * Hydrogen Technology – adjournment debate – 20.12.04 SSSIs – 21.10.04 HoC 842W HoC 2039 Tree Planting – 21.10.04 HoC 843W Liquid Gas – 16.11.04 HoC 1306W Urban Landscapes – 21.10.04 HoC 843W Nuclear Energy/Industry – 4.10.04 HoC 1854W Wildlife Protection – 21.10.04 HoC 845W Nuclear Fusion Reactor (France) – 18.11.04 HoC 1934W Nuclear Power – 30.11.04 HoC 479 Environmental Pollution Oil Usage – 16.11.04 HoC 1307W Air Pollution – 18.11.04 HoC 1995W Orimulsion/Shale Oil – 17.11.04 HoC 1624W Air Quality – 11.10.04 HoL WA30, 13.10.04 HoL WA60, Power Stations – 8.12.04 HoC 595W & 16.12.04 HoL 1421 19.10.04 HoL WA78 & 1.12.04 HoC 119W Solar Panels – 4.11.04 HoC 355W Carbon Dioxide Emissions – 9.11.04 HoC 565W Solar Power – 16.11.04 HoC 1309W Transport of Goods – 15.11.04 HoL WA121 Trans-European Energy Network – 11.11.04 HoC 835W Contaminated Industrial Land – 7.12.04 HoC 414W Water Turbines: River Thames – 18.11.04 HoL WA213 Contaminated Land Development – 17.11.04 HoC 1669W Emissions – 15.12.04 HoC 1100W Energy (Renewables) Environmental Contamination – 6.12.04 HoC 290W Biodiesel – 15.11.04 HoC 982W Hazardous Waste (Substitute Fuels) – 15.11.04 HoC Carbon Savings – 27.10.04 HoC 1238W 1018W Developing Countries – 17.11.04 HoC 1520W Hydrofluorocarbons – 21.10.04 HoC 838W & 15.11.04 Electricity Generation (Renewables) – 7.12.04 HoC 466W HoC 1020W & 8.12.04 HoC 590W Incineration – 15.11.04 HoC 1022W Energy – 18.11.04 HoC 1915W Nitrates – 15.12.04 HoC 1103W Energy Crops – 21.10.04 HoC 1006 Noise (Environmental Pollution) – 8.11.04 HoC 492W Marine Development Fund – 11.10.04 HoC 122W Oil Pollution – 13.12.04 HoC 808W & 15.12.04 HoC 1104W Energy Extraction – 19.10.04 HoC 648W Ozone – 6.12.04 HoC 357W Renewable Energy – 9.12.04 HoC 1265 Pesticide Run-Off – 20.12.04 HoC 1349W Renewable Energy – 11.10.04 HoC 112W, 19.10.04 HoC Small Petrol Engine Emissions – 18.10.04 HoC 432W & 650W, 19.10.04 HoC 677W, 21.10.04 HoC 881W, 8.11.04 25.10.04 HoC 968W * HoC 461W, 16.11.04 HoC 405WH, 30.11.04 HoC 81W, 2.12.04 HoC 225W, 7.12.04 HoC 473W, 9.12.04 HoC European Union Meetings 1267 & 15.12.04 HoC 1128W Agriculture and Fisheries Council – 10.11.04 HoC 681W Targets – 12.10.04 HoC 236W & 8.12.04 HoC 509W Tidal Lagoons – 16.12.04 HoL 1419 Competitiveness Council – 8.12.04 HoC 586W Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation – 26.10.04 HoL Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs WA121 Council – 2.12.04 HoC 51WS & HoL WS34, 20.12.04 Renewable Transport Fuels – 15.10.04 HoC 394W HoC 159WS & HoL WS105 Solar Chimneys – 16.12.04 HoC 1221W Environment Council – 15.11.04 HoC 1002W Solar PV – 4.10.04 HoC 1860W Tidal Renewable Energy – 11.10.04 HoC 130W EU Committees – 9.11.04 HoC 566W, 11.11.04 HoC Wind Energy – 14.10.04 HoC 341W 812W & 15.11.04 HoC 1004W Farms – 7.12.04 HoC 476W & 8.12.04 HoC 598W European Meetings – 9.11.04 HoC 567W Debate – 25.10.04 HoC 1208 Greek Presidency (EU) – 9.11.04 HoC 642W Power – 13.12.04 HoC 890W Home Affairs Council – 13.12.04 HoC 841W Turbine Projects – 2.12.04 HoC 226W Transport Council – 20.12.04 HoC 1361W Turbines – 27.10.04 HoC 1248W & 2.11.04 HoC 213W Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council – 8.12.04 HoC 597W Environment Protection Aggregates – 14.12.04 HoC 1046W Fisheries ASSIs – 16.11.04 HoC 1353W Bass Trawler Fishing – 16.12.04 HoC 1215W Common Land (SSSIs) – 8.11.04 HoC 445W Bird Predation – 20.10.04 HoC 693W Conservation Areas – 21.10.04 HoC 829W & 9.11.04 Common Fisheries Policy – 16.12.04 HoC 1216W HoC 577W Cormorants – 20.10.04 HoC 695W, 4.11.04 HoC 350W, Environmental Pollution Royal Commission – 15.12.04 9.11.04 HoC 578W & 17.11.04 HoL WA179 HoC 1101W Crustacean Fishing – 4.10.04 HoC 1923W Environmental Regulation – 15.12.04 HoC 1102W Dolphins – 16.12.04 HoC 1218W Flooding – 11.10.04 HoC 92W Eastern Irish Sea Fishery – 21.10.04 HoC 833W, 4.11.04 Hedges – 21.10.04 HoC 837W HoC 351W, 16.11.04 HoC 1247W, 17.11.04 HoC 1481W * Marine Environment – 13.12.04 HoL 1157 & 18.11.04 HoC 2014W Marine Planning – 4.10.04 HoC 1937W Eels – 15.11.04 HoC 1000W Offshore Wind Farms – 11.11.04 HoC 833W European Habitats Directive – 4.10.04 HoC 1928W

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Fisheries – 4.10.04 HoC 1929W, 11.10.04 HoC 92W, Health (General) 14.10.04 HoC 333W, 18.11.04 HoC 1456, 16.12.04 HoC Abortion: Under-16s – 18.11.04 HoL WA221 1218W & 20.12.04 HoC 1347W Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine – 11.10.04 HoL WA30 Action Plans – 10.11.04 HoL WA83 Adrenaline – 6.12.04 HoC 295W Adjournment debate – 2.12.04 HoC 831 Age-related Macular Degeneration – 25.10.04 HoC 1042W Council – 21.10.04 HoC 1016 Alzheimer’s – 18.11.04 HoC 1949W Net Mesh Sizes – 3.11.04 HoL 301 Anaemia – 18.11.04 HoC 1949W Fishing Industry – 19.10.04 HoC 613W Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder – 21.10.04 HoC Industrial Fisheries – 15.11.04 HoC 1023W & 18.11.04 863W HoC 2023W Cellulose Fibres – 20.12.04 HoC 1431W Offshore Dredging – 2.12.04 HoC 189W Childhood Anaemia – 13.12.04 HoC 950W Pair Trawling – 1.12.04 HoC 116W Clinical Trials – 7.12.04 HoC1034 Sea Bass – 4.10.04 HoC 1943W & 14.10.04 HoC 335W Colitis/Crohn’s Disease – 3.11.04 HoC 251W & 21.12.04 Shellfishing – 4.10.04 HoC 1944W HoC 1667W Departmental Research – 18.11.04 HoC 1958W Food Diabetes – 16.11.04 HoL WA155 & 18.11.04 HoC 1961W BSE – 15.11.04 HoC 987W * Adjournment debate – 16.11.04 HoC 1327 Children’s Diets – 9.11.04 HoC 637W Dyspraxia – 18.11.04 HoC 1963W Diet – 15.11.04 HoC 1160W Dystonia – 4.10.04 HoC 1966W Folic Acid Fortification – 27.10.04 HoL WA131 Ectopic Pregnancy – adjournment debate – 12.10.04 HoC 259 Food Additives – 30.11.04 HoC 105W & 2.12.04 HoC 235W Epidermolysis Bullosa – 3.11.04 HoC 315W And Health Action Plan – 11.10.04 HoL WA31 Fertility Treatment – 18.11.04 HoC 1754W Industry – 11.10.04 HoL WA43 Foetal Alcohol Syndrome – debate – 18.10.04 HoL 603 Labelling – 13.12.04 HoC 957W & 14.12.04 HoC Gastroenteritis and Salmonella – 19.10.04 HoC 673W 1073W Group B Streptococcus – 14.12.04 HoC 1073W Standards Agency: Peformance Review – 9.12.04 HoL Health Inequalities: Spearhead Group – 25.11.04 HoL WS8 WA49 Health White Paper – statement – 16.11.04 HoC 1161 & Supplements – 6.12.04 HoC 351W, 9.12.04 HoC HoL 1304 755W, 13.12.04 HoC 957W, 20.12.04 HoL WA128 & Heart Disease – 2.11.04 HoC 172W 21.12.04 HoC 1676W HFEA Annual Report – 25.11.04 HoC 9WS & HoL WS8 Industry – 15.12.04 HoC 1150W Human Genetics Commission – 20.10.04 HoC 793W Grapefruit Consumption – 20.10.04 HoC 791W Inflammatory Bowel Disease – 20.12.04 HoL WA130 Healthy Eating – 28.10.04 HoC 1560 Influenza – 8.11.04 HoC 505W Irradiation Treatment – 20.12.04 HoC 1479W Intravenous Fluid Management – 3.11.04 HoC 335W Nutrition and Behaviour – 16.11.04 HoL WA152 & Lyme Disease – 15.12.04 HoC 1153W 18.11.04 HoL WA218 Dietary Targets – 18.11.04 HoL WA220 Meningitis – 8.12.04 HoC 617W Processed Food (Salt) – 1.11.04 HoC 145W & 4.11.04 Mesothelioma – 1.11.04 Hoc 139W HoC 397W MRC PACE trials:CFS/ME – 18.11.04 HoL WA211 Public Bodies – 15.12.04 HoC 1056W Myalgic Encephalomyelitis – 4.10.04 HoC 1986W Salmonella: Infected Spanish Eggs – 18.11.04 HoL WA222 Myasthenia Gravis – 4.10.04 HoC 1987W Salt – 12.10.04 HoL 115 & 7.12.04 HoC 493W National Healthy School Standard – 12.10.04 HoL 118 School Meals – 6.12.04 HoC 308W & 21.12.04 HoC 1710W Nosocomial Viruses – 2.12.04 HoC 240W Spanish Eggs (Salmonella) – 21.10.04 HoC 915W Occupational Asthma – 11.10.04 HoC 153W Organ Donation – 3.11.04 HoC 322W Health (Cancer) Organ Transplants – 2.11.04 HoC 177W Anti-cancer Drugs – 26.10.04 HoC 1190W Ovarian Tissue Transplantation – 1.11.04 HoC 141W Bowel Cancer – 9.11.04 HoC 654W & 18.11.04 HoC 1745W Pregnant Women – 1.12.04 HoC 130W Breast Cancer – 4.10.04 HoC 1948W, 26.10.04 HoC Reproductive Health – 11.10.04 HoC 154W 1190W & 13.12.04 HoC 866W Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health – 19.10.04 Adjournment debate – 9.11.04 HoC 173WH HoC 669W Breast Radiologists – 10.11.04 HoC 777W Sexual Health – 2.12.04 HoC 249W Cancer – 4.10.04 HoC 1949W, 15.11.04 HoC 1153W & Silzone Heart Valves – 28.10.04 HoC 1341W, 2.11.04 HoC 18.11.04 HoC 1950W 178W & 3.11.04 HoC 323W Cervical Cancer – 18.11.04 HoC 1951W Smoking: Effect on Foetal and Infant Health – 16.11.04 Chemotherapy – 16.11.04 HoC 1354W HoL WA153 Colorectal Cancer – 12.10.04 HoC 246W Stem Cell Treatment – 16.11.04 HoL WA154 Leukaemia – 8.11.04 HoC 537W, 11.11.04 HoC 845W & Tackling Health Inequalities – 25.11.04 HoC 10WS 868W & 1.12.04 HoC 129W Transplantation – 19.10.04 HoC 670W Prostate Cancer – 4.10.04 HoC 1995W & 14.10.04 HoC Tuberculosis – 28.10.04 HoC 1359W 356W Tuberculosis/Hepatitis – 6.12.04 HoC 360W

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Health (International Development) Radiography – 13.12.04 HoC 927W AIDS – 1.12.04 HoL 461 & 6.12.04 HoC 278W Training – 18.10.04 HoC 518W AIDS/TB/Malaria – 28.10.04 HoC 1314W Radiologists – 8.11.04 HoC 541W * Adjournment debate – 16.11.04 HoC 343WH Radiotherapy – 2.11.04 HoC 177W Antiretroviral Drugs – 2.11.04 HoC 202W Recruitment – 7.12.04 HoC 1035 Africa – adjournment debate – 2.11.04 HoC 32WH Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus – 4.10.04 HoC 2002W HIV/AIDS – 21.12.04 HoC 1601W Malaria – 18.11.04 HoC 1723W Health (Vaccination) Vaccination – 15.12.04 HoC 1656 Childhood Vaccinations – 3.11.04 HoC 313W Immunisations – 3.11.04 HoC 334W & 9.11.04 HoC 674W Health (Service) Influenza Vaccination – 26.10.04 HoC 1197W & 1212W, Cleanyourhands Campaign – 17.11.04 HoC 1669W 26.10.04 HoL 1173, 17.11.04 HoC 1674W & 1681W, 18.11.04 HoC 1964W & 1969W Communicable Diseases – 28.10.04 HoC 1345W MMR Vaccine – 20.10.04 HoC 796W Consultant Radiologists – 10.11.04 HoC 778W Mumps – 13.12.04 HoC 975W Data Protection – 21.12.04 HoC 1668W Pediacel – 11.10.04 HoL WA29 & 20.10.04 HoL WA85 Decontamination – 15.11.04 HoC 1157W Pneumonia Vaccinations – 2.11.04 HoC 168W Dermatology – 8.11.04 HoC 533W Smallpox Vaccine – 11.10.04 HoL WA33, 18.11.04 HoL Doctor Numbers – 10.11.04 HoC 779W WA219 & 1.12.04 HoL WA8 Electronic Clinical Records – 21.12.04 HoC 1674W Vaccination Programme – debate – 8.12.04 HoL 956 EMIS System – 26.10.04 HoC 1194W Vaccine Stocks – 16.12.04 HoC 1238W & 20.12.04 Genito-urinary Medicine – 15.11.04 HoC 1040W HoC 1484W Haemophilia: Contaminated Blood Products – 18.11.04 HoL WA217 Industry Hospital Acquired Infection – 4.10.04 HoC 1787W Batteries – 30.11.04 HoC 74W * Debate – 1.12.04 HoL 473 EU Battery Directive – 30.11.04 HoC 77W Hospital Hygiene – 19.10.04 HoC 674W Motor Mechanics – 18.11.04 HoC 1933W Hospital Infections – 14.10.04 HoC 353W, 27.10.04 HoC Motor Servicing/Vehicle Industry – 18.11.04 HoC 2142W 1262W, 2.11.04 HoC 149 & 173W, 2.11.04 HoC 149, Motor Sport/Performance Engineering Industries – 4.11.04 4.11.04 HoC 390W, 11.11.04 HoC 867W, 17.11.04 HoC HoC 357W 1677W, 18.11.04 HoC 1967W, 7.12.04 HoC 505W, Motor Vehicle Technicians – 17.11.04 HoC 1621W 13.12.04 HoC 971W, 16.12.04 HoC 1322W Infection Control – 4.10.04 HoC 1973W, 20.10.04 HoC Information Technology 794W & 16.11.04 HoC 1379W Identity Cards – 16.11.04 HoC 1426W In-vitro Fertilisation – 4.10.04 HoC 1977W Information Technology Projects – 8.11.04 HoL WA61 IT – 25.10.04 HoC 1044W & 9.11.04 HoC 644W Oversight – 9.11.04 HoL WA70 National Programme – 19.10.04 HoC 666W, 20.10.04 IT Graduates – 8.12.04 HoC 593W HoC 796W, 3.11.04 HoC 321W, 8.11.04 HoC 537W, IT Skills – 11.11.04 HoC 832W 13.12.04 HoC 976W & 21.12.04 HoC 1680W Systems (GP Practices) – 16.12.04 HoC 1322W Intellectual Property Medical Imaging Records – 16.12.04 HoC 1325W Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys Order 2004 – 9.12.04 Medical Schools – 10.11.04 HoC 792W HoL 1029 MRI Scanning – 10.11.04 HoC 793W Intellectual Property – 11.10.04 HoC 67W MRI/CT Scanners – 4.11.04 HoC 395W & 18.11.04 HoC QinetiQ – 14.12.04 HoC 1030W 1973W MRSA – 4.10.04 HoC 1984W, 14.10.04 HoC 355W, Law Enforcement 19.10.04 HoC 676W, 26.10.04 HoC 1199W, 10.11.04 Biometrics – 17.11.04 HoC 1573W HoC 793W, 8.12.04 HoC 534W & 15.12.04 HoC 1089W * Critical National Infrastructure – debate – 9.12.04 HoL 1063 * Hospitals – adjournment debate – 13.10.04 HoC 71WH Cyber Crime – 15.11.04 HoC 1099W, 16.11.04 HoC National Blood Service – 15.11.04 HoC 1163W 1415W & 17.11.04 HoC 1577W Clinical Director – 3.11.04 HoC 321W DNA Database – 3.11.04 HoC 297W Necrotising Fasciitis – 8.12.04 HoC 619W Electronic Terrorism – 17.11.04 HoC 1582W NHS Research Ethics Committees – 16.11.04 HoC 77WS Forensic Science Service – 11.11.04 HoC 891W & & HoL WS60 15.11.04 HoC 1016 NHS Software Contract – 2.12.04 HoL WA18 Identity Cards – 17.11.04 HoC 1587W & 20.12.04 HoC NHS Staff (Pharmaceutical Company Funding) – 14.12.04 1500W HoC 1079W NHS:vCJD and Hepatitis C – 21.10.04 HoL WA100 Medicines and Drugs Postgraduate Deaneries – 8.11.04 HoC 541W Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine – 27.10.04 HoL WA132 Radiographers – 1.11.04 HoC 146W & 9.11.04 Acute Spinal Cord Injury – 20.12.04 HoC 1463W HoC 651W Adverse Drug Reactions – 13.10.04 HoC 284W

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Aimspro – 8.11.04 HoC 529W & 21.12.04 HoC 1662W Pylons – 11.11.04 HoC 870W & 17.11.04 HoC 1691W Alzheimer’s – 15.11.04 HoC 1149W & 16.11.04 HoC 1369W Radiation – 15.11.04 HoL WA126 Antibiotics – 17.11.04 HoC 1668W Risks – 15.11.04 HoC 1032W Antidepressant Drugs – 21.10.04 HoC 915W Radiation:CERRIE Report – 11.11.04 HoC WA98 Anti-TNF Medications – 8.12.04 HoC 608W Radioactive Contamination – 29.11.04 HoC 30W Atypical Anti-psychotic Drugs – 13.12.04 HoC 947W Waste – 16.11.04 HoC 1256W, 15.12.04 HoC 1127W, B144 Blood Testing Strips – 4.11.04 HoC 387W 20.12.04 HoC 1382W & 21.12.04 HoC 1520W Chemotherapy – 13.12.04 HoC 916W Waste and Nuclear Decommissioning: Budget – Cialis (Counterfeiting) – 7.12.04 HoC 495W & 20.12.04 21.12.04 HoL WA146 HoC 1468W Weapons Grade Plutonium (Transportation) – 21.10.04 Clinical Research Collaboration – 25.10.04 HoC 1063W HoC 876W Counterfeit Medicines – 20.12.04 HoC 1377W Dementia – 11.11.04 HoC 865W Science and Engineering Policy Diabetes – 16.12.04 HoC 1315W Botany – 21.10.04 HoC 827W Generic Prescribing – 16.12.04 HoC 1319W Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Hormone Replacement Therapy – 7.12.04 HoC 1038 – 8.12.04 HoC 97WS Insulin – 13.12.04 HoC 972W Education, Research and Technology Transfer (NI) – Malaria (Malavane) – 15.10.04 HoC 400W 8.11.04 HoC 17WS & HoL WS15 * Medicinal Cannabis – adjournment debate – 14.10.04 HoC 518 Engineering – 11.10.04 HoL WA8 Medicines (Children and Infants) – 2.11.04 HoC 173W & Policy – 9.12.04 HoC 1274 3.11.04 HoC 317W Experimental Fusion Reactor – 28.10.04 HoC 1311W Medicines (Packaging) – 9.12.04 HoC 757W, 16.12.04 Faraday Partnerships – 8.12.04 HoC 592W HoC 1279W & 20.12.04 HoC 1380W Gene Therapy – 7.12.04 HoC 503W Medicines Act Advisory Committees – 11.11.04 HoL WS24 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority – 25.10.04 Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency – HoC 1043W adjournment debate – 10.11.04 HoC 243WH International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor – MRSA – 16.11.04 HoC 1364W 2.12.04 HoC 222W Multiple Sclerosis – 8.12.04 HoC 618W National Institute for Medical Research – 1.11.04 HoC 90W Aimspro – 1.12.04 HoL WA7 & 6.12.04 HoL WA29 National Physical Laboratory – 21.12.04 HoC 172WS & Packaging Regulations (Medicines) – 13.10.04 HoC 286W HoL WS115 Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme – 3.11.04 HoC 9WS Policy Programming – 28.10.04 HoC 1318W Pharmaceuticals – 15.11.04 HoC 1174W R and D Clusters – 20.10.04 HoC 768W & 21.10.04 HoC Driving – 16.12.04 HoC 1264W 881W Ritalin – 11.10.04 HoC 155W Grants – 10.11.04 HoC 766W Safety of Medicines – 19.10.04 HoC 667W & 25.10.04 Targets – 2.12.04 HoC 224W & 6.12.04 HoC 292W HoC 1046W Radio Frequency Identification Technology – 19.10.04 Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors – 6.12.04 HoL WS49 & 7.12.04 HoC 80WS HoC 650W Steri-X System – 18.11.04 HoC 1991W Rare Diseases (Funding) – 14.12.04 HoC 1080W Teriparratide – 12.10.04 HoC 262W Research – 17.11.04 HoC 1627W Yellow Card Scheme – 4.11.04 HoC 401W And Development – 4.10.04 HoC 1857W, 1.11.04 HoC 89W, 2.11.04 HoC 212W, 1.12.04 HoC 135W, Nuclear and Radioactive Substances 6.12.04 HoC 294W, 20.12.04 HoC 1383W & Depleted Uranium – 13.10.04 HoL WA60 21.12.04 HoC 1613W EU Nuclear Regulation – 4.10.04 HoC 1851W Ethics Committees – 13.12.04 HoL WA61 Intermediate Level Radioactive Waste Substitution – Projects – 7.12.04 HoC 461W 13.12.04 HoC 115WS & HoL WS70 Science – 14.10.04 HoC 344W Nuclear Accidents – 2.12.04 HoC 223W And Innovation Investment Framework – 4.10.04 Clean-up – 10.11.04 HoC 764W HoC 1857W Decommissioning – 8.11.04 HoC 460W, 10.11.04 And Technology Select Committee – 8.12.04 HoC 596W HoC 765W & 17.11.04 HoC 1623W Budget – 20.12.04 HoC 1383W Authority – 9.12.04 HoC 707W Funding – 16.12.04 HoC 1282W Funding Account – 7.12.04 HoC 84WS & HoL WS51 Strategy – 14.10.04 HoC 411 Energy/Nuclear Material – 20.12.04 HoC 1381W Scientific Officers (Promotion) – 13.10.04 HoC 314W & Industry – 16.12.04 HoC 1280W 14.10.04 HoC 386W Installations (Safety) – 17.11.04 HoC 1623W Stem Cell Research – 15.11.04 HoC 1176W Materials – 26.10.04 HoC 1210W UK High Technology Fund – 2.12.04 HoC 226W Power Stations – 20.12.04 HoL WA121 United States and United Kingdom Science and Technology Waste – 11.10.04 HoC 96W & 124W, 28.10.04 HoC Agreement – 9.12.04 HoC 111WS & HoL WS59 1312W, 15.12.04 HoC 1104W & 21.12.04 HoC Women Chartered Engineers – 4.11.04 HoC 448 1518W Women Scientists – 4.11.04 HoC 446

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Space Wheels – 2.12.04 HoC 197W, 6.12.04 HoC 386W & Civil Space Technology – 2.12.04 HoC 216W 7.12.04 HoC 422W Galileo Positioning System – 12.10.04 HoL WA56 Safety Cameras – 4.11.04 HoC 16WS Galileo Satellite –14.10.04 HoC 338W Speed Limits – 18.10.04 HoL WA76 Space Technology – 21.12.04 HoC 1659W Strategic Railway Research – 25.10.04 HoL WA108 Train Protection Systems – 20.12.04 HoC 1360W Sustainable Development Vehicle Licensing – 18.11.04 HoC 1857W Diet (Environmental Impact) – 4.10.04 HoC 1927W Vehicles: All-wheel Braking – 13.12.04 HoL WA66 & Energy Efficiency – 1.12.04 HoC 151W 14.12.04 HoL WA71 Reed Bed Technology – 21.10.04 HoC 841W Zero-emission Trams – 8.11.04 HoC 495W Sustainable Development – 13.12.04 HoC 810W Waste Telecommunications and Broadcasting Agricultural Waste Regulations – 9.12.04 HoC 106WS Acoustic Neuromas – 21.12.04 HoL WA148 Battery Disposal – 25.10.04 HoC 950W Airwave – 3.11.04 HoC 291W Compost – 16.11.04 HoC 1244W Communication Masts (Health Effect) – 13.12.04 HoC 951W Composting – 15.11.04 HoC 994W Digital Standards – 16.11.04 HoC 1301W Definitions (Energy) – 18.11.04 HoC 2005W Internet Scams – 9.12.04 HoC 700W Hazardous Waste – 1.12.04 HoC 116W Mobile Phone Masts – 15.10.04 HoC 420W, 4.11.04 HoC Home Composting – 18.11.04 HoC 2023W 437W, 17.11.04 HoC 1685W & 6.12.04 HoL 655 Household Recycling – 4.11.04 HoC 354W Mobile Phones – 4.10.04 HoC 1983W & 18.11.04 HoC 1947W Plastics – 21.12.04 HoC 1519W Health Risk Research – 16.11.04 HoL WA152 Landfill – 16.11.04 HoC 1251W Telecommunication Developments – 9.12.04 HoC 103WS Recycling Targets – 13.12.04 HoC 809W & HoL WS60 Sodium Azid (Airbags) – 15.11.04 HoC 1033W Telecommunications Masts – 2.12.04 HoC 250W Sustainable Waste Management – 6.12.04 HoC 74WS TETRA Airwave Project – 8.12.04 HoC 648W Toxic Waste – 18.11.04 HoC 2034W TETRA Radiation – 16.11.04 HoC 1453W Waste – 15.12.04 HoC 1115W Disposal – 17.11.04 HoC 1484W Transport Food – 13.12.04 HoC 815W Alternative Fuels – 1.11.04 HoC 83W Management – 21.10.04 HoC 1002 & 844W, Automotive Emissions – 11.10.04 HoC 83W 17.11.04 HoC 1485W & 18.11.04 HoC 1454 Car Emissions – 2.12.04 HoC 193W Wood (Waste and Recycling) – 13.12.04 HoC 815W Carbon Dioxide Emissions – 10.11.04 HoC 712W & 1.12.04 HoC 119W Water Galileo Project – 29.11.04 HoC 348 Drinking Water (Sustainability) – 21.10.04 HoC 832W Heavy Goods Vehicles: Impact – 12.10.04 HoL WA57 Fluoridated Water – 21.12.04 HoL WA148 High Accident Risk Roads – 2.11.04 HoL WA30 Fluoride – 20.12.04 HoC 1475W Pollution – 21.12.04 HoC 1519W & 1654W River Thames – 27.10.04 HoC 1222W Road Congestion – 4.10.04 HoC 1847W Water Fluoridation – 11.10.04 HoL WA32, 3.11.04 HoC Haulage (Emissions) – 27.10.04 HoC 1227W WA37 & 15.12.04 HoC 1159W Noise – 1.11.04 HoC 13W & 14.12.04 HoC 1014W Water Framework Directive – 20.10.04 HoC 699W & Transport Emissions – 16.11.04 HoC 1147 16.11.04 HoC 1260W

Progress of Legislation before Parliament

Government Bills under the Ballot by Mr Stephen Pound; provisional 2R Charities Bill: 2R HoC 20.1.05 Committee stage started 22.4.05 3.2.05 Pharmaceutical Labelling (Warning of Cognitive Identity Cards Bill: Report Stage HoC 10.2.05 Function Impairment) Bill: introduced by Mr Andrew Dismore; provisional 2R 20.5.05 Private Members’ Bills Children’s Food Bill: introduced by Ms Debra Shipley Renewable Energy Bill: completed all stages HoL 8.2.05; provisional 2R 8.5.05 School Meals and Nutrition Bill: introduced under the Human Tissue Act 2004 (Amendment) Bill: introduced Ballot by Geraint Davies; provisional 2R 25.2.05

50 Science in Parliament Vol 62 No 1 Spring 2005 Parl MAGAZINE Spring 05 8/3/05 9:03 am Page 53

Euro-News Commentary on science and technology within the European Parliament and the Commission

Naval Sonars serious threat of climate change. Further action must be The European Parliament calls on the Member States to taken after 2012, the end of the Kyoto Protocol’s “first adopt a moratorium on the deployment of of high- commitment period”. intensity active naval sonars until a global assessment of their cumulative environmental impact on marine Climate Change Conference mammals, fish and other marine life has been completed. The EU delegation will take part in negotiations at the It also wants the Commission to conduct a study and to COP-10 Conference in Buenos Aires on the 6-17 provide an assessment of the impact of current practices December. MEPs want the EU to maintain its leading role in European waters. The resolution was tabled by the in the negotiations on climate change. Parliament believes Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food that COP-10 constitutes a good opportunity not only to Safety. It points out that there is a growing body of build on the decisions taken at previous Conferences on research which confirms that the very loud sounds implementing the Kyoto Protocol, but also to start a wide- produced by high-intensity active naval sonars pose a ranging debate on the main issues for the second significant threat to marine mammals, fish and other commitment period, with a view to incorporating ocean wildlife. emissions from international flights and shipping into the emission reduction targets of the second commitment One minute interventions period from 2012. Parliament also reminds the EU Baroness Sarah Ludford (UK) recalled that Sunday 14 delegation that according to the European Environment November had been World Diabetes Day. She asked why Agency, Europe is warming faster than the global average there was such wide variation between Member States in as a result of climate change. the lists of jobs barred to diabetics. In many cases these lists had been established many years ago and no longer Enhanced safeguards for “biometric” made sense in the light of modern treatment options. This passports sort of blanket discrimination must be abolished she said. The European Parliament agrees with the introduction of Robert Evans (UK) reminded MEPs of the Bhopal disaster passports containing a facial image, since this biometric in December 1984, when a chemical leak from a Union element will make it very difficult to falsify passports. The Carbide plant led to many thousands of deaths and EP however opposes the setting up of a central database of injuries, which were still continuing today. He European Union passports and travel documents condemned Dow Chemicals, the US owner of Union containing all EU passport holders’ biometric and other Carbide for what he called its pitiful compensation and data. Such a database would increase the risk of abuse negligible acceptance of responsibility. and function creep.

Climatic Change Safer Internet programme In view of the recent signing by Russia of the Kyoto The Safer Internet Plus programme is established for the Protocol, this could now enter into force early next year. period 2005-2008 to promote safer use of Internet and The European Union (EU) is at the forefront of new online technologies, particularly for children. Its international efforts to combat climate change and has aim is also to fight against illegal content and content played a key role in the development of the two major unwanted by the end user. treaties addressing the issue, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol. The EU is also taking serious steps to address its World AIDS Day own greenhouse gas emissions. In March 2000 the To stem the progress of AIDS, the world requires more Commission launched the European Climate Change money, appropriate legislation and political will from Programme (ECCP). The ECCP led to the adoption of a governments, according to the European Parliament. In range of new policies and measures, among which the EU’s a resolution adopted by a clear majority to mark World emissions trading scheme, which will start its operation on AIDS Day, MEPs also say that “the EU has a significant 1 January 2005, will play a key role. As a result of the EU’s role to play for both its own citizens and those of third and individual Member States’ actions, the latest countries in the global fight against the disease.” monitoring data indicate that the European Union has delivered on its long-standing commitment to stabilise Pesticide residues in food: more emphasis emissions of CO2 at the level of 1990 in the year 2000. The EU-15 is committed to deliver the collective 8% cut in on consumer health emissions by 2008-2012 to which it signed up under the Draft regulation is intended to simplify existing legislation Kyoto Protocol. Equally the New Member States are on maximum residue levels (MRLs) of pesticides in food determined to meet their individual targets under the or feed. It replaces four existing directives and amends Kyoto Protocol which is only a first step to address the another. It defines the roles of the different actors in the

Science in Parliament Vol 62 No 1 Spring 2005 51 Parl MAGAZINE Spring 05 8/3/05 9:03 am Page 54

process, particularly that of the European Food Safety EU drug policy should be science-based Agency (EFSA). All MRLs are to be harmonised after a The EU needs to adopt a common strategy to tackle drug transitional “phasing in” period and will be set at problems.and wants national drug policies to be based European level. They will be listed in annexes, to be on scientific knowledge about each type of drug, not on established by EFSA, the Commission and Member States an “emotional response”. The European Council is set to for around 1000 pesticides and 160 crops. For the adopt a new EU Drugs Strategy for 2005-2012 on 17 interim, temporary MRLs already in existence, or based December to tackle cross-border and large-scale drug on national MRLs will be used. trafficking, using a scientific approach.

European Union - Digest

The references are to the Official Journal of the European Communities (OJ), Adopted Legislation from the L Series (OJL) and Proposals and Opinions from the C Series (OJC).

Agriculture L365(p24&25)10.12.04 Council Regulation establishing a Community programme on uniform procedures for checks on the transport of on genetic resources in agriculture – OJ L304(p1)30.9.04 dangerous goods by road – OJ L367(p23)14.12.04

Animals and Veterinary Matters Education and Training Commission Regulations Council Directive on admission of third-country nationals concerning the additive Cycostat 66G in feedingstuffs – OJ for study etc – OJ L375(p12)23.12.04 L317(p37)16.10.04 Commission Decisions on authorisation of certain additivies in feedingstuffs – OJ regarding mutual recognition of professional qualifications L370(p24)17.12.04 (EU Member States and Swiss Confederation) – OJ Commission Decisions L352(p129)27.11.04 approving programmes for eradication and monitoring of on a single Community framework for the transparency of certain animal diseases – OJ L361(p41)8.12.04 qualifications and competences – OJ L390(p6)31.12.04 concerning protection measures in relation to avian Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on influenza in certain Asian countries – OJ transparency of qualifications and competences – OJ L368(p48)15.12.04 C121(p10)30.4.04 as regards reallocation of Community’s financial contribution to Member States’ programmes for eradicating Energy and Nuclear Industries and monitoring TSEs and other animal diseases – OJ Opinions of the Economic and Social Committee: L389(p34&p37)30.12.04 on guidelines for trans-European energy networks – OJ Commission Recommendation on dioxins and dioxin-like C241(p17)28.9.04 PCBs in feedingstuffs – OJ L321(p38)22.10.04 on Fusion Energy – OJ C302(p27)7.12.04 Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on Proposal for Climate Change a Directive on energy end-use efficiency and energy services Council Directive establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas – OJ C318(p19)22.12.04 emission allowance trading within the Community – OJ Notice inviting applications for authorisation to prospect L338(p18)13.11.04 for hydrocarbons on the Dutch continental shelf – OJ C263(p5)26.10.04 Chemicals Appointment of Members of the European Energy and Commission Directive on maximum residue levels of Transport Forum – OJ C312(p7)17.12.04 bifenthrin and famoxadone – OJ L301(p42)28.9.04 Commission Regulation relating to fertilisers – OJ Environment L359(p25)4.12.04 Council Regulation concerning the Financial Instrument for the Environment – OJ L308(p1)5.10.04 Construction Commission Decisions Commission Decision on conformity of construction on ecological criteria for Community eco-label for products as regards waste water engineering products – OJ refrigerators – OJ L306(p16)2.10.04 L302(p6)29.9.04 adopting a list of sites of Community importance for the Atlantic biogeographical region – OJ L387(p1)29.12.04 Dangerous Goods Commission Guidelines for LIFE-Environment Commission Directives: preparatory projects – OJ C287(p2)24.11.04 adapting Directive with regard to transport of dangerous Judgments of the Court: goods by rail – OJ L293(p14)16.9.04 on conservation of natural habitats of wild flora and fauna – on laws of Member States with regard to the transport of OJ C262(p2)23.10.04 dangerous goods by rail and by road – OJ on urban waste water treatment – OJ C284(p1)20.11.04

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Fisheries tusk by vessels flying the flag of Ireland – OJ Council Regulations on: L339(p3)16.11.04 fishing opportunities in Greenland waters – OJ megrim by vessels flying the flag of Portugal – OJ L305(p3)1.10.04 L292(p3)15.9.04 number of days at sea for vessels fishing for haddock in the sand eel by vessels flying the flag of a Member State other North Sea and the use of bottom trawls in waters around than Denmark or UK – OJ L292(p4)15.9.04 the Azores, Canary Islands and Madeira – OJ anglerfish by vessels flying the flag of France – OJ L319(p1)20.10.04 L292(p5)15.9.04; of Belgium – OJ L293(p3)16.9.04; fishing off the coast of Cape Verde – OJ L332(p1)6.11.04 herring by vessels flying the flag of France – OJ fixing for 2004 fishing opportunities for certain fish stocks L365(p3&4)10.12.04 & OJ L366(p7)11.12.04 in Community waters and for Community vessels in waters Commission Decisions: where limitations in catch are required – OJ declaring operational the Regional Advisory Council for the L332(p5)6.11.04 North Sea under the CFP – OJ L342(p28)18.11.04 fishing opportunities for deep sea species – OJ establishing lists of approved zones and farms with regard L396(p1&p4)31.12.04 to certain fish diseases – OJ L368(p26)15.12.04 Council Decisions regarding imports of live fish – OJ L385(p60)29.12.04 regarding the General Fisheries Commission for the Judgment of the Court on control of the activities of Mediterranean – OJ L357(p30)2.12.04 fishing vessels – OJ C262(p1)23.10.04 on withdrawal of EC from Convention on Fishing and Conservation of the Living Resources in the Baltic Sea and Food and Foodstuffs Belts – OJ L375(p27)23.12.04 Council Regulation on materials and articles intended to Commission Regulations: come into contact with food – OJ L338(p4)13.11.04 concerning fishing opportunities for capelin in Greenland Commission Regulations on: waters – OJ L296(p3)21.9.04 procedure for establishment of maximum residue limits of concerning transmission of data on fisheries in the Baltic veterinary products in foodstuffs of animal origin – OJ Sea – OJ L365(p12)10.12.04 L296(p5)21.9.04 laying down detailed rules as regards applications for establishment of maximum residue limits for veterinary fisheries licences in waters of Greenland – OJ medicinal products in foodstuffs of animal origin – OJ L369(p49)16.12.04 L323(p6)26.10.04 & L326(p19)29.10.04 on fishing for northern prawn by vessels flying the flag of the issue of import licences for beef and veal – OJ Sweden (OJ L344(p4)20.11.04 L335(p3)11.11.04 on producer organisations in fishery and aquaculture sector maximum residue limits of veterinary medicinal products in – OJ L315(p28)14.10.04 foodstuffs – OJ L379(p71)24.12.04 on the management of fishing fleets – OJ organic production of agricultural products and foodstuffs – L365(p19)10.12.04 OJ L385(p20)29.12.04 prohibiting fishing for: network of organisations operating in the fields within the black scabbardfish by vessels flying the flag of Spain – OJ mission of the European Food Safety Authority – OJ L357(p18)2.12.04 L379(p64)24.12.04 blue ling by vessels flying the flag of UK – OJ Commission Decisions: L316(p72)15.10.04 & OJ L317(p31)16.10.04 authorising the placing on the market of sweetcorn from ling by vessels flying the flag of Denmark – OJ GM maize line Bt11 – OJ L300(p48)25.9.04 L316(p73)15.10.04 on approved facilities in third countries for irradiation of cod by vessels flying the flag of Portugal – OJ foods – OJ L314(p14)13.10.04 L357(p17)2.12.04; of Germany – OJ L357(p19)2.12.04 authorising the placing on the market of milk-based common sole by vessels flying the flag of France – beverages with added phytosterols/phytostanols as novel OJ L313(p13)12.10.04, OJ L331(p19)5.11.04 & OJ foods – OJ L366(p14)11.12.04 L362(p3)9.12.04; of Belgium – OJ L292(p4)16.9.04 Commission Recommendations on: greater silver smelt by vessels flying the flag of Ireland – OJ dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in foodstuffs – OJ L354(p14)30.11.04 L321(p45)22.10.04 herring by vessels flying the flag of Germany – OJ technical guidance for detection of geneticially modified L305(p27)1,10.04 organisms – OJ L348(p18)24.11.04 ling by vessels flying the flag of UK – OJ L318(p3)19.10.04 Northern prawn by vessels flying the flag of Poland –OJ L369(p13)16.12.04 Intellectual Property and Patents Norway lobster by vessels flying the flag of France – OJ Commission Regulation on customs action against goods L366(p6)11.12.04 suspected of infringing certain intellectual property rights – OJ L328(p16)30.10.04 plaice by vessels flying the flag of Belgium – OJ L311(p24)8.10.04; repealing earlier regulation – OJ L311(p25)8.10.04 IT, Telecommunications and Broadcasting redfish by vessels flying the flag of Portugal – OJ Council Directive relating to electromagnetic compatibility L341(p20)17.11.04 – OJ L390(p24)31.12.04

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Commission Decisions on: the common organisation of the market in seeds – OJ European Regulators Group for Electronic Communications L360(p6)7.12.04 Networks and Services – OJ L293(p30)16.9.04 Commission Decision concerning rules for authorising the telecommunication equipment – OJ L374(p73)22.12.04 placing on the market of seed varieties for which an Judgment of the Court on number portability service – OJ application for entry in the national catalogue has been C262(p10)23.10.04 submitted – OJ L362(p21)9.12.04 Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on: digital broadcasting – OJ C121(p7)30.4.04 Science Policy the Role of eGovernment – OJ C318(p22)22.12.04 Council Decision on scientific and technological co- operation between the EC and the USA – OJ unsolicited commercial communications or “spam” – OJ L335(p5)11.11.04 C318(p24)22.12.04 Commission Decision on nomination of members of the European Research Advisory Board – OJ C256(p5)16.10.04 Maritime and Marine Calls for Proposals: Commission Regulation on the phasing in of double-hull Structuring the European Research Area – OJ design requirements – OJ L371(p26)18.12.04 C257(p6)19.10.04 Science and society – Science Education and Careers 2004 Minerals and Mining – OJ C230(p9)15.9.04 Commission Regulation on uranium-prospecting indirect RTD actions under programmes relating to the programmes – OJ L322(p7)23.10.04 European Research Area – OJ C309(p9,13,16&21)15.12.04 Integrating and Strengthening the European Research Area – Public Health and Pharmaceuticals OJ C296(p9)1.12.04, OJ C304(p11&18)8.12.04, OJ Commission Regulation to avoid trade diversion into the C306(p29)10.12.04, OJ C312(p13&p20)17.12.04 & EU of certain key medicines – OJ L326(p22)29.10.04 C325(p2)31.12.04 Commission Decision setting up the Executive Agency for Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the Public Health Programme – OJ L369(p73)16.12.04 progress report on Galileo research programme – OJ Judgment of the Court on imports of medicinal products – C302(p35)7.12.04 OJ C300(p21)4.12.04 Amended list of experts appointed as members of the Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on a Scientific Committee – OJ C250(p8)9.10.04 stronger Pharmaceutical Industry for the benefit of the Patient – OJ C241(p7)28.9.04 Sustainable Development Opinions of the Committee of the Regions on: Plants and their Protection Products integrated pollution prevention and control – OJ Council Decision on the conclusion of the International C121(p45)30.4.04 Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for food and agriculture – sustainable use of natural resources – OJ C121(p47)30.4.04 OJ L378(p1)23.12.04 Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on an Commission Directives: environmental technologies action plan for EU – OJ including acetamiprid and thiacloprid as active substances – C241(p44)28.9.04 OJ L309(p6)6.10.04 on protective measures against the introduction of Transport organisms harmful to plants – OJ L309(p9)6.10.04 determining models of official phytosanitary certificates – Commission Directive relating to electromagnetic OJ L319(p9)20.10.04 compatibility of vehicles – OJ L337(p13)13.11.04 on maximum levels for certain pesticide residues – OJ L374(p64)22.12.04 Waste Commission Regulations on Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on proposal for plant health checks – OJ L313(p6&16)12.10.04 a Directive on batteries and accumulators – OJ continued use of substances – OJ L315(p26)14.10.04 C121(p35)30.4.04 denomination of varieties of agricultural plant and vegetable Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on species – OJ L321(p29)22.10.04 packaging and packaging waste – OJ C241(p20)28.9.04

Parliamentary & Scientific Committee News

New Members International, represented respectively by Mrs Philippa David and Ms Hilary Ratcliffe, as Associate members and We are delighted to welcome the International the British Antarctic Survey, represented by Professor Agriculture and Technology Centre and Soroptimist David Walton, as a Scientific and Technical Organisation.

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Science Directory DIRECTORY INDEX Aerospace and Aviation Institution of Chemical Engineers Academy of Medical Sciences BBSRC Queen Mary, University of London Royal Society of Chemistry British Association for the University of East Anglia SEMTA Advancement of Science HFEA Chemistry British Society for Antimicrobial LGC Agriculture CCLRC Chemotherapy University of Newcastle upon Tyne BBSRC University of East Anglia CABI Bioscience Queen Mary, University of London Campden & Chorleywood Food Institution of Chemical Engineers Campden & Chorleywood Food Research Association LGC Research Association Geographical Information Institute of Biology University of Leeds Clifton Scientific Trust Systems LGC London Metropolitan Polymer Economic and Social Research University of East Anglia University of Newcastle upon Tyne Centre Council University of Leeds SCI Royal Institution Engineering and Physical Sciences Society for General Microbiology Royal Society of Chemistry Research Council Geology and Geoscience UFAW SCI Institute of Biology AMSI Colloid Science Institute of Mathematics and its University of East Anglia Animal Health and Welfare, London Metropolitan Polymer Applications Institution of Civil Engineers Veterinary Research Centre Institute of Physics Natural Environment Research ABPI Royal Society of Chemistry Institution of Chemical Engineers Council Academy of Medical Sciences LGC British Veterinary Association Construction and Building London Metropolitan Polymer Hazard and Risk Mitigation FRAME Institution of Civil Engineers Centre Institution of Chemical Engineers Royal College of Veterinary London Metropolitan Polymer NESTA RSA Surgeons Centre Royal Institution UFAW SCI The Royal Society Health Royal Statistical Society ABPI Astronomy and Space Science Dentistry SEMTA Academy of Medical Sciences CCLRC Queen Mary, University of London British Society for Antimicrobial PPARC Energy Chemotherapy Queen Mary, University of London Earth Sciences CCLRC University of East Anglia University of East Anglia Institution of Chemical Engineers Economic and Social Research Atmospheric Sciences, Climate English Nature Institution of Civil Engineers Council RSA and Weather University of Leeds HFEA SCI CCLRC Institute of Physics and Engineering Engineering University of East Anglia Ecology, Environment and in Medicine CCLRC Natural Environment Research Biodiversity LGC Engineering and Physical Sciences Council AMSI Medical Research Council Research Council British Ecological Society University of Newcastle upon Tyne Institution of Chemical Engineers Biotechnology CABI Bioscience Royal Institution Institution of Civil Engineers BBSRC University of East Anglia University of Leeds Royal Society of Chemistry Campden & Chorleywood Food Economic and Social Research London Metropolitan Polymer Society for General Microbiology Research Association Council Centre University of East Anglia English Nature Royal Academy of Engineering Heart Research Institute of Biology Environment Agency SCI ABPI LGC Freshwater Biological Association SEMTA University of Leeds Institute of Biology Hydrocarbons and Petroleum National Physical Laboratory Institution of Chemical Engineers Fisheries Research University of Newcastle upon Tyne University of Newcastle upon Tyne Institution of Civil Engineers Freshwater Biological Association Royal Society of Chemistry Royal Society of Chemistry LGC Industrial Policy and Research RSA University of Leeds Food and Food Technology AIRTO SCI Natural Environment Research CABI Bioscience CCLRC Society for General Microbiology Council Campden & Chorleywood Food Economic and Social Research Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Research Association Council Brain Research Royal Society of Chemistry Institute of Biology Institution of Civil Engineers ABPI SCI Institution of Chemical Engineers Royal Academy of Engineering Merck Sharp & Dohme Society for General Microbiology LGC RSA University of Newcastle upon Tyne University of Surrey University of Leeds SCI Royal Society of Chemistry Cancer Research Economic and Social Research SCI Information Services ABPI Economic and Social Research Society for General Microbiology AIRTO University of East Anglia Council University of Leeds University of Leeds Forensics IT, Internet, University of Newcastle upon Tyne University of Newcastle upon Tyne LGC Telecommunications, Computing Queen Mary, University of London RSA Royal Society of Chemistry and Electronics CABI Bioscience Catalysis Education, Training and Skills Genetics CCLRC University of East Anglia ABPI ABPI University of East Anglia

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Engineering and Physical Sciences Motor Vehicles Public Policy Seed Protection Research Council University of Leeds British Society for Antimicrobial CABI Bioscience University of Leeds London Metropolitan Polymer Chemotherapy University of Newcastle upon Tyne Centre Economic and Social Research Sensors and Transducers Queen Mary, University of London SEMTA Council AMSI University of Surrey HFEA CCLRC Oceanography NESTA Intellectual Property AMSI Prospect SSSIs ABPI Natural Environment Research Queen Mary, University of London The Chartered Institute of Patent Council English Nature Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Agents Public Understanding of Science NESTA Oil Academy of Medical Sciences Queen Mary, University of London Institution of Chemical Engineers British Association for the Statistics LGC Advancement of Science Royal Statistical Society Large-Scale Research Facilities British Society for Antimicrobial Surface Science Campden & Chorleywood Food Particle Physics Chemotherapy CCLRC Research Association CCLRC Clifton Scientific Trust CCLRC University of Leeds University of East Anglia Sustainability London Metropolitan Polymer PPARC Engineering and Physical Sciences CABI Bioscience Centre Research Council PPARC Patents University of East Anglia The Chartered Institute of Patent HFEA English Nature Lasers Agents Institute of Biology Environment Agency CCLRC NESTA Institute of Physics Institution of Chemical Engineers Institution of Chemical Engineers Institution of Civil Engineers Management Pharmaceuticals Medical Research Council London Metropolitan Polymer University of Leeds ABPI NESTA Centre British Pharmacological Society Prospect SCI Manufacturing British Society for Antimicrobial Royal Academy of Engineering Royal Institution ABPI Chemotherapy Technology Transfer AMSI Institution of Chemical Engineers The Royal Society CABI Bioscience Engineering and Physical Sciences LGC Royal Society of Chemistry Campden & Chorleywood Food Research Council Merck Sharp & Dohme RSA University of Leeds Queen Mary, University of London Quality Management Research Association London Metropolitan Polymer Royal Society of Chemistry Campden & Chorleywood Food CCLRC Centre SCI Research Association LGC SCI LGC University of Leeds Physical Sciences London Metropolitan Polymer Materials Cavendish Laboratory Radiation Hazards Centre CCLRC Engineering and Physical Sciences National Radiological Protection NESTA University of Leeds Research Council Board National Physical Laboratory London Metropolitan Polymer London Metropolitan Polymer Centre Centre Retail Tropical Medicine National Physical Laboratory National Physical Laboratory Marks and Spencer Society for General Microbiology Queen Mary, University of London PPARC Satellite Engineering Viruses Mathematics Physics University of Surrey Institute of Mathematics and its Cavendish Laboratory ABPI Society for General Microbiology Applications Institute of Physics Science Policy University of Leeds University of Leeds ABPI National Physical Laboratory Academy of Medical Sciences Water Medical and Biomedical Research PPARC British Association for the AMSI ABPI Advancement of Science Campden & Chorleywood Food Academy of Medical Sciences Physiology Clifton Scientific Trust Research Association Association of Medical Research University of Leeds Economic and Social Research University of East Anglia Charities Environment Agency British Pharmacological Society Pollution and Waste Council Freshwater Biological Association British Society for Antimicrobial ABPI Engineering and Physical Sciences Chemotherapy AMSI Research Council Institution of Chemical Engineers University of East Anglia CABI Bioscience HFEA Institution of Civil Engineers HFEA University of East Anglia Institute of Physics LGC University of Leeds Environment Agency Institution of Chemical Engineers University of Newcastle upon Tyne Medical Research Council Institution of Chemical Engineers LGC Royal Society of Chemistry University of Newcastle upon Tyne Institution of Civil Engineers Medical Research Council SCI Queen Mary, University of London London Metropolitan Polymer NESTA Society for General Microbiology RSA Centre Prospect Royal Academy of Engineering University of Surrey Natural Environment Research Wildlife Royal Institution UFAW Council University of East Anglia The Royal Society English Nature Mining, Minerals and Metal Psychology Royal Society of Chemistry Production British Psychological Society The Science Council Institute of Biology Rio Tinto plc University of Leeds UFAW UFAW

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Association Association Academy of the British of Marine of Medical Pharmaceutical Scientific Industries Sciences Industry Contact: Mrs Mary Manning, Executive Director Contact: John Southerden Academy of Medical Sciences Contact: Dr Philip Wright Society of Maritime Industries 12 Whitehall, London SW1A 2DY 10 Carlton House Terrace Tel: 020 7747 1408 4th Floor, 30 Great Guildford Street London SW1Y 5AH Fax: 020 7747 1417 London SE1 0HS Tel: 020 7969 5288 E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 020 7928 9199 Website: www.abpi.org.uk Fax: 020 7969 5298 Fax: 020 7928 6599 E-mail: [email protected] The Association for the British Pharmaceutical E-mail: [email protected] Industry members brings together companies in Website: www.acmedsci.ac.uk Britain producing prescription medicines both Website:www.maritimeindustries.org/about/amsi.jsp through manufacture and supply as well as research The Academy of Medical Sciences promotes and development (R&D). The Association of Marine Scientific Industries advances in medical science and campaigns to The ABPI’s mission is to represent the pharmaceutical (AMSI) is a constituent association of the Society ensure these are converted as quickly as industry operating in the UK in a way that: of Maritime Industries (SMI). As a market possible into healthcare benefits for society. The ● Academy’s eight hundred Fellows are the United assures patient access to the best available orientated trade association, it services medicine; Kingdom’s leading medical scientists from companies in the marine science and technology ● creates a favourable political and economic hospitals, academia, industry and the public environment; sector. AMSI provides a co-ordinated voice for service. The Academy provides independent, ● encourages innovative research and development; the industry sector on national, European and authoritative advice on public policy issues in ● avoids unfair commercial returns international issues. medical science and healthcare.

AIRTO Association Biotechnology

Contact: Professor Richard Brook of Medical and Biological AIRTO : Association of Independent Research Research Charities & Technology Organisations Sciences c/o CCFRA, Station Road, Chipping Campden, Contact: Diana Garnham, Chief Executive Gloucestershire GL55 6LD. Association of Medical Research Charities Research Council Tel: 01386 842247 61 Gray’s Inn Road, London WC1X 8TL. Contact: Dr Monica Winstanley, Fax: 01386 842010 Tel: 020 7269 8820 Fax: 020 7269 8821 Head of External Relations E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] BBSRC, Polaris House, North Star Avenue Website: www.airto.co.uk Website: www.amrc.org.uk Swindon SN2 1UH. Tel: 01793 413204 AIRTO represents the UK’s independent The Association of Medical Research Charities E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.bbsrc.ac.uk research and technology sector - member (AMRC) works to advance medical research in the organisations employ a combined staff of over UK and, in particular, aims to improve the The BBSRC is the UK’s leading funding agency for 20,000 scientists and engineers with a effectiveness of the charitable sector in medical academic research in the non-medical life sciences and research. There are over 100 member charities is funded principally through the Science Budget of the turnover in the region of £2 billion. Work within the Association: in 2002/2003 their combined Office of Science and Technology. It supports staff in carried out by members includes research, expenditure on biomedical research in the UK was universities and research institutes throughout the UK, consultancy, training and global information £660 million. AMRC provides information, and funds basic and strategic science in: agri-food, monitoring. AIRTO promotes their work by guidance and advice to medical research charities animal sciences, biomolecular sciences, biochemistry building closer links between members and and information and data on the activities of the and cell biology, engineering and biological systems, industry, academia, UK government agencies charity sector in medical research to government, the genes and developmental biology, and plant and and the European Union. media and decision-formers. microbial sciences.

British British British Association Ecological Pharmacological Society Society Advancing for the Advancement molecules into Contact: Nick Dusic, Science Policy Manager medicines. of Science - the BA British Ecological Society Contact: Sarah-Jane Stagg 26 Blades Court, Deodar Road, Putney, British Pharmacological Society Contact: Sir Roland Jackson Bt, Chief Executive London, SW15 2NU 16 Angel Gate, City Road, The BA, Wellcome Wolfson Building, Tel: 020 8871 9797 Fax : 020 8871 9779 London EC1V 2SG. 165 Queen’s Gate, London SW7 5HE. E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 020 7417 0113 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.BritishEcologicalSociety.org Fax: 020 7417 0114 Website: www.the-BA.net E-mail: [email protected] The BES is an active, successful and independent The BA is the UK’s nationwide, open membership Website: www.bps.ac.uk scientific society. It aims to promote the science of organisation dedicated to connecting people with ecology worldwide. It supports the ecological The British Pharmacological Society’s 2,500 science, so that science and its applications become research and education communities to ensure members are trained to study drug action from accessible to all. The BA aims to promote openness that they remain vibrant and productive, thus the laboratory bench to the patient’s bed-side. Our about science in society and to engage and inspire generating new knowledge, skilled people and a members come from academia, industry, hospitals people directly with science and technology and their greater appreciation of the science of ecology in and regulatory authorities and government implications. the wider community. The Society publishes bodies. Our aim is to improve the quality of life by Established in 1831, the BA organises major initiatives internationally renowned journals, organises across the UK, including the annual BA Festival of developing new medicines to treat and prevent Europe’s biggest annual meeting of ecologists, the diseases and conditions which affect millions Science, National Science Week, programmes of provides advice to policy-makers and opinion of people and animals. Inquiries about drugs and regional and local events, and an extensive programme formers, has an active programme of educational for young people in schools and colleges. initiatives and provides grants. how they work are welcome.

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The British British Society British Veterinary Psychological for Antimicrobial Association Society Chemotherapy Contact:Chrissie Nicholls 7 Mansfield Street, London W1G 9NQ Contact: Dr Ana Padilla Contact: Tracey Guest, Executive Officer Tel: 020 7636 6541 Parliamentary Officer Fax: 020 7637 4769 The British Psychological Society British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy E-mail:[email protected] 33 John Street 11 The Wharf, 16 Bridge Street, www.bva.co.uk London WC1N 2AT Birmingham B1 2JS. BVA’s chief interests are: Tel: 020 7692 3412 Tel: 0121 633 0410 Fax: 020 7419 6922 Fax: 0121 643 9497 * Standards of animal health Email: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] * Veterinary surgeons’ working practices Website: www.bps.org.uk Website: www.bsac.org.uk * Professional standards and quality of service Founded in 1971, and with 800 members * Relationships with external bodies, particulary The British Psychological Society is an worldwide, the Society exists to facilitate the government organisation of over 34,000 members acquisition and dissemination of knowledge in BVA carries out three main functions which are: governed by Royal Charter. It maintains the the field of antimicrobial chemotherapy. The Register of Chartered Psychologists, * Policy development in areas affecting the BSAC publishes the Journal of Antimicrobial profession publishes books, 10 primary science Journals Chemotherapy (JAC), internationally renowned for * Protecting and promoting the profession in and organises conferences. Requests for its scientific excellence, undertakes a range of matters propounded by government and other information about psychology and educational activities, awards grants for research external bodies psychologists from parliamentarians are and has active relationships with its peer groups welcome. and government. * Provision of services to members

CABI Campden & Cavendish Bioscience Chorleywood Laboratory Contact: Dr David Dent, Managing Director Food Research The Administrative Secretary, The Cavendish CABI Bioscience, Bakeham Lane, Egham, Laboratory, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK. Surrey TW20 9TY. Association E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 01491 829080 Fax: 01491 829100 http://www.phy.cam.ac.uk Contact: Prof Colin Dennis, Director-General E-mail: [email protected] CCFRA, Chipping Campden, The Cavendish Laboratory houses the Department of Physics of Website: www.cabi-bioscience.org Gloucestershire GL55 6LD. the University of Cambridge. CABI Bioscience is a new breed of international Tel: 01386 842000 Fax: 01386 842100 Its world-class research is focused in a number of experimental organisation specialising in sustainable agriculture, the E-mail: [email protected] and theoretical diverse fields. Website: www.campden.co.uk conservation of biodiversity, invasive species Astrophysics: Millimetre astronomy, optical interferometry management and industrial and environmental A independent, membership-based industrial research observations & instrumentation. Astrophysics, geometric bioremediation. Globally the work of CABI Bioscience association providing substantial R&D, processing, algebra, maximum entropy, neutral networks. focuses on the farmer and his need to adapt and analytical hygiene, best practice, training, auditing and respond to the changes and challenges of the markets HACCP services for the food chain worldwide. High Energy Physics: LEP, SPS & future LHC experiments. - these may be for organic produce, a route to Members include growers, processors, retailers, Detector development. Particle physics theory. transgenic production, or dealing with the effects of caterers, distributors, machinery manufacturers, Condensed Matter Physics: Semiconductor physics, quantum climate change or alien invasive species in a safe and government departments and enforcement authorities. effect devices, nanolithography. Superconductivity, magnetic sustainable way. Employs over 300; serves over 2,000 member sites; thin films. Optoelectronics, conducting polymers. Biological and has a subsidiary company in Hungary. Activities Soft Systems. Polymers and Colloids. Surface physics, fracture, CABI Bioscience UK is one of a network of 6 global focus on safety, quality, efficiency and innovation. CABI Bioscience centres and a division of CAB Participates in DTI’s Faraday Partnerships and wear & erosion. Amorphous solids. Electron microscopy. International, a 42 member strong UN treaty-level collaborates with universities on LINK projects and Electronic structure theory & computation. Structural phase organisation. Its sister enterprise is CABI Publishing, a studentships, transferring practical knowledge transitions, fractals, quantum Monte Carlo calculations leading international life science publisher. between industry and academia. Biological Physics.

Chartered Clifton Council Institute of Scientific for the Patent Agents Trust Central Laboratory

Contact: Michael Ralph - Contact: Dr Eric Albone of the Research Secretary & Registrar Clifton Scientific Trust Councils The Chartered Institute of Patent Agents 49 Northumberland Road, Bristol BS6 7BA 95 Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1DT Tel: 0117 924 7664 Fax: 0117 924 7664 Contact: Natalie Bealing Tel: 020 7405 9450 E-mail: [email protected] CCLRC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Fax: 020 7430 0471 Website: www.clifton-scientific.org Chilton, Oxfordshire, OX11 0QX E-mail: [email protected] Science for Citizenship and Employability, CCLRC Daresbury Laboratory Website: www.cipa.org.uk Science for Life, Science for Real Daresbury, Cheshire, WA4 4AD CIPA’s members practise in intellectual property, We build grass-roots partnerships between Tel: 01235 445484 Fax: 01235 446665 school and the wider world of professional E-mail: [email protected] especially patents, trade marks, designs, and Website: www.cclrc.ac.uk copyright, either in private partnerships or science and its applications industrial companies. CIPA maintains the • for young people of all ages and abilities The CCLRC is the UK’s strategic agency for scientific statutory Register. It advises government and • experiencing science as a creative, research facilities. It also supports leading-edge science questioning, human activity and technology by providing world-class, large-scale international circles on policy issues and • bringing school science added meaning and experimental facilities. These advanced technological provides information services, promoting the capabilities, backed by a pool of expertise and skills notivation, from primary to post-16 across a broad range of disciplines, are exploited by more benefits to UK industry of obtaining IP • locally, nationally, internationally (currently protection, and to overseas industry of using than 1100 government, academic, industrial and other between Britain and Japan) research organisations around the world each year. The British agents to obtain international protection. Clifton Scientific Trust Ltd is registered charity 1086933 annual budget of the CCLRC is c. £150 million.

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University Economic and Engineering of East Anglia Social Research and Physical Contact: Science Communication Officer Council Sciences University of East Anglia Contact: Lesley Lilley, Research Council Norwich NR4 7TJ Senior PR and Parliamentary Officer Contact: Dr Claire Graves, Economic and Social Research Council, Public Affairs Manager Tel: 01603 593007 Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Fax: 01603 259883 Swindon SN2 1UJ EPSRC, Polaris House, E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 01793 413119 Fax 01793 413130 North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1ET Website: www.uea.ac.uk [email protected] Tel: 01793 444459 Fax: 01793 444005 http://www.esrc.ac.uk E-mail: [email protected] From award-winning technology translating The ESRC is the UK’s leading research and training Website:www.epsrc.ac.uk speech into sign language, to internationally- agency addressing economic and social concerns. We EPSRC invests more than £500 million a year in renowned climate research, and from the pursue excellence in social science research; work to research and postgraduate training in the physical intricacies of diseases such as cancer to the increase the impact of our research policy and sciences and engineering, to help the nation handle large-scale hazards of earthquakes and practice; and provide trained social scientists who the next generation of technological change. The volcanoes, UEA scientists are carrying out meet the needs of users and beneficiaries, thereby areas covered range from mathematics to materials world-class research and teaching. A strongly contrbuting to the economic competitiveness of the science, and information technology to structural interdisciplinary science cluster: Biological United Kingdom, the effectiveness of public services engineering. Sciences, Chemical Sciences and Pharmacy, and policy, and quality of life. The ESRC is We also actively promote public engagement with Environmental Sciences, Computing Sciences independent, established by Royal Charter in 1965, science and engineering, and we collaborate with a and Mathematics. and funded mainly by government. wide range of organisations in this area.

English Environment Freshwater Nature Agency Biological

Contact: Dr Keith Duff, Contact: Prof Michael Depledge, Association Chief Scientist Head of Science Contact: Dr Roger Sweeting, English Nature Rio House, Waterside Drive, Aztec West, Chief Executive. Northminster House, Peterborough, Almondsbury, Bristol BS32 4UD The Freshwater Biological Association, The PE1 1UA Tel: 01454 284433 Ferry House, Far Sawrey, Ambleside, Tel: 01733-455208 Fax: 01454 284301 Cumbria LA22 0LP. Fax: 01733-568834 E-mail: michael.depledge@environment- Tel: 015394 42468 Fax: 015394 46914 E-mail: [email protected] agency.gov.uk E-mail: [email protected] Website address: www.english-nature.org.uk Website: www.environment-agency.gov.uk Website: www.fba.org.uk English Nature is the Government’s wildlife The Environment Agency is responsible for The Freshwater Biological Association is an agency working throughout England. With protecting and enhancing the environment in independent organisation and a registered Charity, our partners and others we promote the England and Wales. We contribute to founded in 1929. It aims to promote freshwater conservation of wildlife and natural places. sustainable development through the science through an innovative research integrated management of air, land and water. programme, an active membership organisation We commission research and publish scientific We commission research to support our and by providing sound independent opinion. It papers which underpin the development of functions through our Science Programme that publishes a variety of specialist volumes and policies and programmes to maintain and is based on a 5 year plan developed through houses one of the finest freshwater libraries in the enhance biodiversity consultation. world.

Fund for the Human Institute Replacement Fertilisation of of Animals in and Biology Medical Embryology Experiments Contact: Prof Alan Malcolm, Chief Executive Authority 20 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2DZ Contact: Professor Robert Combes, Scientific Director Tel: 020 7581 8333 FRAME, Russell & Burch House Contact: Tim Whitaker Fax: 020 7823 9409 96-98 North Sherwood Street 21 Bloomsbury St E-mail: [email protected] Nottingham NG1 4EE London WC1B 3HF Tel: 0115 958 4740 Fax: 0115 950 3570 Website: www.iob.org Tel: 020 7291 8216 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.frame.org.uk Fax: 020 7291 8201 The biological sciences have truly come of Email: [email protected] Registered Charity No.: 259464 age with the new millennium and the Website: www.hfea.gov.uk FRAME considers that the current scale of live Institute of Biology is the professional body animal experimentation is unacceptable, but recognises that the immediate total abolition of all The HFEA is a non-departmental Government to represent biology and biologists to all. A animal experimentation is not possible. FRAME body that regulates and inspects all UK clinics source of independent advice to advocates the Three Rs approach, with the long-term providing IVF, donor insemination or the Government, a supporter of education, a aim of eliminating the need for live-animal storage of eggs, sperm or embryos. The HFEA measure of excellence and a disseminator of experiments altogether, through the proper development, validation and acceptance of also licenses and monitors all human embryo information - the Institute of Biology is the replacement alternative methods. research being conducted in the UK. Voice of British Biology.

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The Institute Institute of of Mathematics Physics and and its Applications Engineering Contact: Lisa Wright, Personal Assistant to Contact: Public Relations Department in Medicine Executive Director 76 Portland Place, London W1B 1NT Institute of Mathematics and its Applications Tel: 020 7470 4800 Contact: Robert Neilson, General Secretary Catherine Richards House, 16 Nelson Street E-mail: [email protected] Fairmount House, 230 Tadcaster Road, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 1EF Websites: www.iop.org York, YO24 1ES Tel: 01702 354020 www.einsteinyear.org Tel: 01904 610821 Fax: 01904 612279 Fax: 01702 354111 2005 is Einstein Year, part of an international E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] celebration of physics to mark the centenary of Website: www.ipem.org.uk Website: www.ima.org.uk the publication of Einstein’s most famous IPEM is a registered, incorporated charity for the theories. The Institute of Physics (IOP), the advancement, in the public interest, of physics and The IMA is a professional and learned society for learned society and professional body which engineering applied to medicine and biology. It qualified and practising mathematicians. Its mission is represents physics and physicists, is co- accredits medical physicists, clinical engineers and to promote mathematics in industry, business, the ordinating a range of activities designed to show clinical technologists through its membership register, public sector, education and research. the diversity and importance of modern physics organises training and CPD for them, and provides Forty percent of members are employed in education today and to enthuse and inspire young people opportunities for the dissemination of knowledge (schools through to universities), and the other 60% to study physics. through publications and scientific meetings. IPEM is work in commercial and governmental organisations. The IOP supports physics in schools, colleges licensed by the Science Council to award CSci and by The Institute is incorporated by Royal Charter and has and universities and provides policy advice and the Engineering Council (UK) to award CEng, IEng the right to award Chartered Mathematician status. opportunities for public debate. and EngTech.

Institution LGC of Civil Queens Road, Teddington Middlesex, TW11 0LY Engineers Tel: +44 (0)20 8943 7000 Fax: +44 (0)20 8943 2767 Contact: Neal Weston, E-mail: [email protected] External Relations Manager Website: www.lgc.co.uk One Great George Street, Westminster, LGC is Europe’s leading independent analytical London SW1P 3AA, UK laboratory providing chemical and DNA-based analysis, Tel: 020 7665 2151 diagnostic services, reference standards, R&D, method Fax: 020 7222 0973 development, consultancy and training to both the E-mail: [email protected] public and private sectors. LGC operates in a diverse Website: www.ice.org.uk range of markets including foods, pharmaceuticals, ICE aims to be a leader in shaping the biotechnology, environment, chemicals and petroleum. engineering profession. With over 70,000 Under arrangements for the office and function of members, ICE acts as a knowledge exchange Government Chemist, LGC fulfils specific statutory for all aspects of civil engineering. As a duties and provides advice for Government and the Learned Society, the Institution provides wider analytical community on the implications of analytical chemistry for matters of policy, standards and expertise, in the form of reports and comment, regulation. on a wide range of subjects from energy generation and supply, to sustainability and the LGC is based in Teddington, Middlesex, with other UK environment. operations in Runcorn and Edinburgh, and facilities in France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden and India.

University London Marks & of Leeds Metropolitan Spencer Plc

Contact: Dr W E Lewis, Polymer Centre Contact: David S Gregory Director of Research Support Unit Contact: Alison Green, Waterside House Research Support Unit, 3 Cavendish Road, London Metropolitan University 35 North Wharf Road Leeds LS2 9JT 166-220 Holloway Road, London N7 8DB London Tel: 0113 3436028 Tel: 020 7133 2189 W2 1NW. Fax: 0113 3434058 Fax: 020 7133 2184 Tel: 020 8718 8247 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.leeds.ac.uk/rsu Website: www.polymers.org.uk Main Business Activities The University of Leeds is among the The London Metropolitan Polymer Centre provides Retailer - Clothing, Food, Financial largest research universities in Europe. training, consultancy and applied research to the UK We have some 3000 researchers, including polymer (plastics & rubber) industry. The training Services and Home. postgraduates, and an annual research courses are delivered through a programme of 544 stores in 29 countries worldwide. income of more than £70m. Research activity industrial short courses and customised courses and Employing 66,000 people. these, together with distance learning and other extends across nine faculties representing We offer our customers quality, value, most core disciplines and often crosses flexible delivery methods, lead to qualifications traditional subject boundaries. In the last ranging from technician to Masters level. Recent service and trust in our brand by Research Assessment Exercise, we had 35 successes include a WRAP sponsored programme to applying science and technology to schools rated internationally or nationally develop new commercial applications for recycled develop innovative products and PET and several technology transfer projects with ‘excellent’. companies. services.

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Medical Merck Sharp & The National Research Dohme Research Endowment for Science, Council Laboratories Technology and Contact: Elizabeth Mitchell the Arts 20 Park Crescent, London W1B 1AL. Contact: Dr Ruth M McKernan Tel: 020 7636 5422 Fax: 020 7436 2665 Contact: Nicky Edwards E-mail: Neuroscience Research Centre Policy & Public Affairs Manager [email protected] Terlings Park Fishmongers’ Chambers Website: www.mrc.ac.uk Eastwick Road 110 Upper Thames Street, London EC4R 3TW Harlow Tel: 020 7645 9500 The Medical Research Council (MRC) is Essex CM20 2QR Fax: 020 7645 9501 funded by the UK taxpayer. We are Email: [email protected] independent of Government, but work closely Tel: 01279 440426 Website: www.nesta.org.uk with the Health Departments, the National Fax: 01279 440178 Health Service and industry to ensure that the NESTA (the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) is all about research we support takes account of the E-mail: [email protected] public’s needs as well as being of excellent innovation. Through a range of pioneering scientific quality. As a result, MRC-funded www.msd-nrc.co.uk programmes, we invest in talented people research has led to some of the most and ground-breaking ideas. On a wider scale significant discoveries in medical science and we work to improve the climate for change in benefited millions of people, both in the UK Drug discovery for brain diseases. this country, acting as a catalyst for change and worldwide. and helping the UK to fulfil its potential.

National Contact: Dr Michael Clark, Natural NRPB Scientific Spokesman Environment Physical Chilton, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 ORQ. Tel: 01235 822737 Fax: 01235 822746 Research Council Laboratory E-mail: [email protected] Contact: Sheila Anderson, National Physical Laboratory Website: www.nrpb.org Head of Communications Hampton Road, Teddington To advance by research the acquisition of Polaris House, North Star Avenue Middlesex TW11 0LW knowledge about the protection of mankind from Swindon SN2 1EU radiation hazards. Tel: 01793 411646 Fax: 01793 411510 Tel: 020 8943 6880 Fax: 020 8943 6458 To provide advice to the government on the E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] acceptability to the UK of standards recommended Website: www.nerc.ac.uk Website: www.npl.co.uk or proposed by international bodies, and on their application. The UK’s Natural Environment Research Council The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is the To provide information and advice to those with funds and carries out impartial scientific research United Kingdom’s national standards laboratory, responsibilities in the UK in relation to the in the sciences of the environment. NERC trains an internationally respected and independent protection from radiation hazards, either of the the next generation of independent environmental centre of excellence in research, development community as a whole, or particular groups. scientists. and knowledge transfer in measurement and Working in partnership with the NERC funds research in universities and in a materials science. For more than a century, NPL Health Protection Agency network of its own centres, which include: has developed and maintained the nation’s primary measurement standards - the heart of From April 2005, NRPB British Antarctic Survey, British Geological an infrastructure designed to ensure accuracy, will become part of the Survey, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, consistency and innovation in physical Health Protection Agency Southampton Oceanography Centre and measurement. Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory

University of Particle Physics and Prospect Newcastle Astronomy Contact: Sue Ferns, upon Tyne Prospect Head of Research and Specialist Research Services, Prospect House Contact: Dr Douglas Robertson Council 75 – 79 York Rd, London SE1 7AQ Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU Tel: 020 7902 6639 Fax: 020 7902 6637 E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 0191 222 5347 Fax: 0191 222 5219 Contact: Dr Catherine Ewart, www.prospect.org.uk E-mail: [email protected] Head of Corporate Affairs Website: www.ncl.ac.uk Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council Prospect is an independent, thriving and Polaris House, North Star Avenue forward-looking trade union with 105,000 The University of Newcastle is a member of Swindon, Wiltshire SN2 1SZ members. We represent scientists, the Russell Group of research-intensive Tel: 01793 442115 Fax: 01793 442125 technologists and other professions in the Universities and is enjoying substantial E-mail: catherine.ewart @pparc.ac.uk civil service, research councils and private growth in student numbers and research Website: www.pparc.ac.uk sector. income. The University has a well balanced portfolio of research funding across all The PPARC is the UK’s strategic science investment Prospect’s collective voice champions the sponsor groups and has one of the highest agency that directs and funds research in national and interests of the engineering and scientific levels of research projects funded by UK international programmes in fundamental physics. community to key opinion-formers and Government Departments and EU activity. It It is this research into fundamental physics that lies policy makers and, with negotiating rights was recently identified in a national survey as behind some of the major technological advances of the with over 300 employers, we seek to secure a one of the top Universities in the UK for 20th Century, and delivers world leading science, better life at work by putting members’ pay, technology transfer. technologies and people for the UK. conditions and careers first.

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Queen Mary, The Royal University Academy of London of Engineering

Contact: Caroline Quest, Contact: Tom McLaughlan, Contact: Terry Friese-Greene Director of Communications Innovation and Enterprise Technology Group Consultant Queens’ Building, Mile End Road 29 Great Peter Street Rio Tinto plc Westminster, London SW1P 3LW London E1 4NS 6 St James’s Square, London SW1Y 4LD Tel: 020 7882 7458 Fax: 020 7882 5128 Tel: 020 7227 0500 Fax: 020 7233 0054 Tel: 020 7753 2467 Email: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.raeng.co.uk Queen Mary, University of London, Website: www.riotinto.com Founded in 1976, the Royal Academy of Engineering incorporates the St Bartholomew’s and Royal Rio Tinto is a leading international mining promotes the engineering and technological welfare of London School of Medicine and Dentistry. company which focuses on exploration for first the country by facilitating the application of science. Queen Mary’s outstanding research strengths class ore-bodies and the development of large, As a national academy, we offer independent and cover the spectrum from Electronic efficient long-life mines capable of sustaining impartial advice to Government; work to secure the Engineering to Preventive Healthcare. It is next generation of engineers; pursue excellence; and competitive advantage. Principal products provide a voice for Britain’s engineering community. home to world-renowned specialist centres (aluminium, borates, coal, copper, gold, iron ore, including the Centre for Commercial Law Our Fellowship - comprising the UK’s most eminent titanium dioxide, uranium, nickel, talc, salt, engineers - provides the leadership and expertise for Studies, the Interdisciplinary Research Centre diamonds and silver) provide the materials our activities, which focus on the importance of in Biomedical Materials and the William necessary for economic progress and prosperity in engineering and technology to wealth creation and the Harvey Research Institute. the developed and developing world. quality of life.

Royal College The Royal of Veterinary Institution

Surgeons Contact: Dr Gail Cardew Contact: Jeff Gill, Policy Officer, Head of Programmes External Affairs Department The Royal Institution Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) 21 Albemarle Street, London W1S 4BS Belgravia House, 62-64 Horseferry Road Tel: 020 7409 2992 Fax: 020 7670 2920 London SW1P 2AF. E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.rigb.org Tel: +44 (0)20 7202 0735 (Direct) +44 (0)20 7222 2001 The Royal Institution has a reputation established Fax: +44 (0)20 7202 0740 over 200 years for its high calibre events that E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.rcvs.org.uk break down the barriers between science and society. It acts as a unique forum for informing “Promoting and sustaining public confidence in veterinary medicine”. The Royal College of people about how science affects their daily lives, Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) is the regulatory body and prides itself on its reputation of engaging the for veterinary surgeons in the UK and is responsible public in scientific debate. The Royal Institution for the registration of veterinary surgeons, for has a range of activities all under one roof, from monitoring standards of veterinary education and for programmes for schools and a forum for the professional conduct. The Government regularly consults the RCVS on a range of legislative issues general public, through to a heritage programme, including animal welfare, control of animal disease an arts–science initiative, a media centre and and veterinary certification. state-of-the-art chemistry labs.

The Royal Royal Society The Royal Society for the Society of Contact: Dr David Stewart Boak, encouragement of Chemistry Director Communications The Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, Arts, manufactures Contact: Dr Stephen Benn London, SW1Y 5AG. Parliamentary Affairs Tel: 020 7451 2510 Fax: 020 7451 2615 and commerce The Royal Society of Chemistry Email: [email protected] Website: www.royalsoc.ac.uk Contact: Susie Harries Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BA Founded in 1660, the Royal Society is an independent 8 John Adam Street Tel: 020 7437 8656 Fax: 020 7734 1227 academy promoting the natural and applied sciences. London WC2N 6EZ E-Mail: [email protected] It aims to: Tel: 020 7451 6879 Website: http://www.rsc.org ¥ strengthen UK science by providing support to Fax: 020 7839 5805 http://www.chemsoc.org excellent individuals E-mail: [email protected] ¥ fund excellent research to push back the frontiers Website: www.theRSA.org The Royal Society of Chemistry is a learned, of knowledge professional and scientific body of over 46,000 The RSA’s Forum for Technology, Citizens and the ¥attract and retain the best scientists members with a duty under its Royal Charter ¥ ensure the UK engages with the best science around Market – a group of science-based companies and the world their principal stakeholders – aims to promote “to serve the public interest”. It is active in the ¥ support science communication and education; and the flow of new technologies into society by areas of education and qualifications, science communicate and encourage dialogue with the public enabling companies to sharpen their policy, publishing, Europe, information and ¥provide the best independent advice nationally and understanding of public concerns around new internet services, media relations, public science and engage with these concerns early on internationally understanding of science, advice and assistance ¥promote scholarship and encourage research into the as part of their routine product development history of science process. to Parliament and Government.

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The Royal The Science Statistical Council Society Contact: Dr Sarah Ball, Chief Executive Officer Contact: Mr Andy Tope The Science Council Contact: Nicolas Heslop External Relations Officer 76 Portland Place Public Affairs Manager The Royal Statistical Society London W1B 1NT SEMTA, 22 Old Queen Street, 12 Errol Sreet, London EC1Y 8LX. Tel: 020 7470 4830 Fax: 020 7470 4919 London SW1H 9HP Tel: 020 7222 0464 Fax: 020 7222 3004 Tel: +44 20 7614 3920 E-mail: [email protected] E-Mail: [email protected] Fax: +44 20 7614 3905 Website: www.sciencecouncil.org Website: www.semta.org.uk E-mail: [email protected] The Science Council has a membership of over Website: www.rss.org.uk 25 professional institutions and learned SEMTA (Science, Engineering and Manufacturing societies covering the breadth of science and Technologies Alliance) is the Sector Skills Council for the The RSS is much more than just a learned society. mathematics. Its purpose is to provide an science, engineering and manufacturing technology sectors. We lead the way as an independent source of advice independent collective voice for science and Our Mission is ‘to ensure that our sector has the knowledge on statistical issues, and through our links with scientists and to maintain standards across all and skills required to meet the challenges faced by the government, academia and the corporate and scientific disciplines. We are active in science workforce of the future.’ policy issues including science in education, voluntary sectors, play a crucial role in raising the Our sectors account for a significant proportion of the UK profile of statistics. We have a powerful voice at health, society and sustainability. In 2003 the Science Council was granted its Royal Charter economy. There are about two million people employed in Royal Commissions, Parliamentary Select and in 2004 it launched the Chartered Scientist about 100,000 establishments in the core Science, Committees, and at public consultations, offering (CSci) designation as a measure of high Engineering and Technology sectors, currently contributes our own unique view on just about anything, from standards in the practice, application, over £74 billion per annum – about ten per cent – of total freedom of information to sustainable development. advancement and teaching of science. UK GDP.

Society of University of Chemical Surrey Contact: Dr Faye Jones, Industry Public Affairs Administrator Contact: Pauline Elliott Marlborough House, Basingstoke Road, Contact: Mr Richard Denyer, University of Surrey, Guildford, Spencers Wood, Reading RG7 1AG. General Secretary and Chief Executive Surrey, GU2 7XH Tel: 0118 988 1843 Fax: 0118 988 5656 SCI, International Headquarters Tel: 01483 689905 E-mail: [email protected] 14-15 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PS Fax: 01483 683948 Website: http//www.sgm.ac.uk Tel: 020 7598 1500 Fax: 020 7598 1545 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] SGM is the largest microbiological society in Website: http://www.surrey.ac.uk/ Website: www.soci.org Europe. The Society publishes four journals of The University of Surrey is one of the UK’s leading international standing, and organises regular SCI is an interdisciplinary network for science, professional, scientific and technological universities scientific meetings. commerce and industry. SCI attracts forward- looking people in process and materials with a world class research profile and a reputation SGM also promotes education and careers in technologies and in the biotechnology, energy, for excellence in teaching and learning. Ground- microbiology, and it is committed to represent water, agriculture, food, pharmaceuticals, breaking research at the University is bringing direct microbiology to government, the media and the construction, and environmental protection sectors benefit to all spheres of life - helping industry to public. worldwide. Members exchange ideas and gain maintain its competitive edge and creating new perspectives on markets, technologies, An information service on microbiological issues improvements in the areas of health, medicine, space strategies and people, through electronic and science, the environment, communications, ion concerning aspects of medicine, agriculture, physical specialist conferences and debates, and food safety, biotechnology and the environment publish journals, books and the respected beam and optoelectronics technology, visual multi is available on request. magazine Chemistry & Industry. media, defence and social policy.

Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

Contact: Dr James Kirkwood, Scientific Director The Old School, Brewhouse Hill Wheathampstead, Herts. AL4 8AN. Tel: 01582 831818. Fax: 01582 831414. Email: [email protected] Website: www.ufaw.org.uk Registered Charity No: 207996 UFAW is an internationally-recognized independent scientific and educational animal welfare charity. It works to improve animal lives by: • supporting animal welfare research. • educating and raising awareness of welfare issues in the UK and overseas. •producing the leading journal Animal Welfare and other high-quality publications on animal care and welfare. •providing expert advice to government departments and other concerned bodies.

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Wednesday 16 March 19.00 Wednesday 27 April 19.00 Talking science Elements of murder Science Prof Richard Gregory, Dr Adam Hart- John Emsley Davis and Sir Martin Rees Thursday 28 April 19.00 Obsessed with truth: in conversation Diary Monday 21 March 19.00 with Jamie Whyte The march of unreason Prof Lisa Jardine and Jamie Whyte Dick Taverne The Parliamentary and Tuesday 22 March 18.30 Scientific Committee Managing climate change Contact: Annabel Lloyd Prof Mike Hulme, Dr Irene Lorenzoni The Royal Society 020 7222 7085 and Dr Sophie Nicholson-Cole 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London www.pandsctte.demon.co.uk SW1Y 5AG Wednesday 23 March 19.00 Events held at the Royal Society unless Monday 28 February 17.30 Science, ethics and social otherwise stated From the Scene of Crime to the responsibility Contact Hannah Jemmett : 020 7451 2574 Courthouse Prof Peter Atkins, Prof Tom McLeish [email protected] Speakers: Bill Hughes, Serious and Prof Steven Rose http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk/events Organised Crime Agency; Professor Pre-registration is essential for Gloria Laycock, Jill Dando Institute of Monday 4 April 19.00 Discussion Meetings Crime Science; Gary Pugh, Racing hearts and sleepless nights: Metropolitan Police Service the story of amphetamines Monday 14 to Tuesday 15 March (all day) Dr John Marsden Discussion Meeting Thursday 17 March 10.15 MHD waves and oscillations in the Science Week Seminar Tuesday 5 April 19.00 solar plasma The UK – Best Place in the World for Building bridges: exploring Organised by Professor Robert von Fay- Innovation extraordinary forms Siebenburgen (Erdelyi), Professor Speakers to be confirmed Thomas Heatherwick Bernard Roberts, Professor Mike Thompson and Professor Michael Monday 25 April 17.30 Wednesday 6 April 19.00 Ruderman The Nuclear Option – Will we still Milk, medicine and madness: a need it, and if so, When quack’s progress in Hogarth’s England Monday 21 March 19.30 Speakers: Sir Donald Miller; Ann Lars Tharp Public Lecture at the Wrexham Science McCall, Nirex; Godfrey Boyle, Open Festival University Thursday 7 April 19.00 Stem cells in the spotlight From photons to fantasies: images of By Dr Patricia Murray Monday 23 May 17.30 perception and reality Annual General Meeting Baroness Susan Greenfield, Dr Mark Monday 4 to Tuesday 5 April (all day) Lythgoe and Prof Rafael Malach Discussion Meeting Bioinformatics: from molecules to Wednesday 13 April 19.00 systems The Royal Institution How I became a boson Organised by Professor Janet Prof Peter Higgs 21 Albemarle Street, London W1S 4BS Thornton CBE FRS, Professor Michael For further information visit Sternberg and Professor David Jones Thursday 14 April 19.00 www.rigb.org or call 020 7409 2992 Swansongs: a musical anatomy of Wednesday 6 April 18:00 Events held at the Royal Institution Alzheimer’s Prize Lecture Unless otherwise stated tickets cost £8 Prof Paul Robertson and Dr John Zeisel (£5 concessions) Streptomyces inside out: a new perspective on the bacteria that Monday 18 April 19.00 Thursday 3 March 19.00 Einstein for the terrified!!! provide us with antibiotics Adapt or die? Prof Russell Stannard By Professor Keith Chater FRS Prof Craig Sharp and Dr Greg Whyte Wednesday 20 April 19.00 Tuesday 26 to Wednesday 27 April (all day) Tuesday 8 March 19.00 Combating colon cancer Discussion Meeting What makes us laugh? Prof Wendy Atkin and Dr Roger Food crops in a changing climate Dr Eduardo Jáuregui and Dr Harry Leicester Wednesday 4 May 18:00 Witchel Prize Lecture Monday 25 April 19.00 Adventures in vascular biology Monday 14 March 19.00 Weighing the soul By Professor Salvador Moncada FRS Gases for the terrified!!! Len Fisher Dr Neil Downie Monday 9 to Tuesday 10 May (all day) Tuesday 26 April 18.30 Discussion Meeting Tuesday 15 March 19.00 Teleporting quantum weirdness Sexual conflict: a new paradigm? Rhythms of life Prof Peter Knight, Dr Almut Beige and Organised by Dr Tracey Chapman, Dr Prof Russell Foster Dr Terry Rudolph Tom Tregenza and Dr Nina Wedell

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British Association for the Monday 18 April Advancement of Science Environmental Risk Assesment - www.the-BA.net Implication for Public Health Leeds Friday 11 - Sunday 20 March National Science Week Tuesday 26 April A national celebration of science Young Chemist in Industry XIV

Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 May Thursday 28 April Science Communication Conference New concepts in Synthetic Chemistry at the Royal Society Monday 9 & Tuesday 10 May Officers of the Parliamentary Society of Cosmetic Scientists Protein Kinases: Signalling Success & Scientific Committee Contact: [email protected] SSLT, London Tel: 01582 726661 President: The Lord Soulsby of Thursday 19 May Swaffham Prior Monday 9 and Tuesday 10 May Lea Valley Industry Chairman: Mr Richard Page MP Spring Symposium Technology & Trends in Skin Care Wednesday 25 & Thursday 26 May Deputy Chairmen: Dr Douglas Naysmith MP Products Innovation Imperatives The Rt Hon Lord Tortworth Court Hotel, Wotton Under Henley Management College, Henley Hunt of Wirral MBE Edge, S Glos Hon Treasurer: Dr Brian Iddon MP Hon Secretaries: Dr Desmond Turner MP SCI Royal Pharmaceutical The Rev Martin Smyth MP 14/15 Belgrave Square Society Vice-Presidents: Sir John Kingman FRS London SW1X 8PS Contact: Judith Callanan Contact: [email protected] or Dr Ian Gibson MP 020 7572 2261 020 7598 1562 The Rt Hon Lord Unless otherwise stated events are at SCI [email protected] Jenkin of Roding Professor Alan Malcolm Tuesday 1 March Monday 21 to Wednesday 23 March Pharmaceuticals in the Environment Arden House European Conference Dr Richard Worswick 2005 Ms Sandra Gidley MP Tuesday 8 March Materials science in solid dosage Mr Stephen Cox CVO Ammonia design and development Royal Pharmaceutical Society, London Mr Peter Raymond MBE Thursday 17 March Advisory Panel: Professor Jane Plant CBE Performance Enhancing Additives in Thursday 19 May (Vice-Chairman) Asphalt Clinical Trials Directive Dr David Dent A one-day symposium to review the Professor Peter Saunders Wednesday 23 March impact of legislation on applications for Secretariat: Professor Peter Simpson Polymer Science in Coatings, Inks clinical trials, manufacture and release and Adhesives of investigation medicinal products and Mrs Annabel Lloyd Saturday 3 - Wednesday 6 April the conduct of clinical trials. Anti fungal agents Royal Pharmaceutical Society, London Science in Parliament Churchill College, Cambridge 3 Birdcage Walk, London SW1H 9JJ Sunday 15 – Thursday 19 May Tel: 020 7222 7085 Fax: 020 7222 7189 Tuesday 5 April Seventh advanced level workshop on Editor: Professor Peter Simpson pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic Rheology of Soft Matter Editorial Assistant: Mrs Annabel Lloyd Rideal Lecture and Supporting data analysis Symposium Madingley Hall, Cambridge Editorial/Management Board: Dr Douglas Naysmith MP (Chairman) SCIENCE IN PARLIAMENT Sir Sydney Chapman MP Published by the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee, 3 Birdcage Walk, London SW1H 9JJ. Published four times a year. The 2005 subscription rate is £65.00. Single numbers £16.25 Mr Robert Freer ISSN 0263-6271 Dr Ashok Kumar MP All enquiries, including those from members wishing to take the front or back covers, advertise in the Professor Alan Malcolm journal or appear in the directory to Mrs Annabel Lloyd, Tel 020 7222 7085 Mr Andrew Miller MP Copyright ©2005 by Parliamentary and Scientific Committee. All rights reserved. None of the articles The Lord Soulsby of Swaffham Prior in this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, or by Dr Peter Warren CBE any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. Typeset and printed by APR Print and Design Ltd

Science in Parliament Vol 62 No 1 Spring 2005 65

50% 40% 80% 50% 40% 80% 50% 40% 80% 50% 40% 80% 50% 40%

nanoactuator. simultaneously to unscrew the top. the unscrew to simultaneously

being developed by the University of Portsmouth as a as Portsmouth of University the by developed being equires three equidistant buttons to be pressed be to buttons equidistant three equires r

potential benefits: Shown here is a molecular motor molecular a is here Shown benefits: potential Packaging Partnership: The ‘Tri’ concept box concept ‘Tri’ The Partnership: Packaging

less energy, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology offer huge offer Nanotechnology and Nanoscience energy, less Child resistant packaging developed by the Faraday the by developed packaging resistant Child

and faster devices, which use fewer raw materials and materials raw fewer use which devices, faster and

ith its potential to produce smaller, lighter, cheaper lighter, smaller, produce to potential its ith W

ball inside MAST, the UK’s own fusion device. fusion own UK’s the MAST, inside ball

future generations: Shown here is a three metre diameter plasma diameter metre three a is here Shown generations: future

Fusion has the potential to provide clean, safe, renewable energy for energy renewable safe, clean, provide to potential the has Fusion sustainability, energy, accessibility, maintenance, crime and acoustics. and crime maintenance, accessibility, energy, sustainability,

modelling and incorporating other design ‘dimensions’ such as cost, as such ‘dimensions’ design other incorporating and modelling

ork at Salford is taking building design beyond just three-dimensional just beyond design building taking is Salford at ork W

of our telecommunications network. (image: University of Bath). of University (image: network. telecommunications our of

Optical fibres carrying information encoded in light are a huge part huge a are light in encoded information carrying fibres Optical

Thinktank Gallery at Birmingham’s museum of science and discovery. and science of museum Birmingham’s at Gallery Thinktank

range of human expressions and interacts with visitors as they enter the enter they as visitors with interacts and expressions human of range

The robot, eMO, developed at Sheffield University, demonstrates a demonstrates University, Sheffield at developed eMO, robot, The

A RA MATO U VRDYLIVES EVERYDAY OUR ON IMPACT BROAD A HAS

S P E R CIENCES HYSICAL AND NGINEERING ESEARCH Parl MAGAZINE Spring 05 8/3/05 9:03 am Page 68 Page am 9:03 8/3/05 05 Spring MAGAZINE Parl