Author Archives: Science Media Centre
more human than humans – can we have robots with morals?
The Science Media centre invited four experts to discuss the ethical and safety issues that might arise from continuing advances in artificial intelligence. read more
scientists respond to news of ‘baby formula that fights fat’
These comments were prompted by a suggestion made by scientists at the University of Buckingham read more
scientist react to suggestion of tagging the elderly
Mark Outhwaite, Chairman of the British Computer Society’s Health Informatics Interactive Care Specialist Group, said: “We already use tags on … read more
risks to UK stem cell science
Members of the new UK National Stem Cell Network briefed journalists on the future of stem cell research in the UK, in light of threats posed by changes to funding and regulatory. read more
the way we farm – pros and cons
The Science Media Centre brought together experts in agriculture and animal health to talk about the future of farming, and to address recent concerns over the health implications of intensive farming. read more
engineers react to news of capsized tug
The Norwegian tug The Bourbon Dolphin capsized whilst attached to an oil rig. read more
scientists react to breakthrough in creation of artificial sperm
Researchers at Newcastle University were able to create precursors to sperm cells using stem cells from bone marrow. read more
scientists respond to news of obesity gene as published in Science
Researchers at the Peninsula Medical School and Oxford University found that people with two copies of a particular variant of the FTO gene had a 70% greater risk of obesity. read more
scientists and ethicists respond to embryo ruling by European Court of Human Rights
The court ruled that Natallie Evans could not use the frozen embryos which had been created using the sperm of her former partner. read more
reaction to the 2nd summary report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
UK experts commented on the release of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Working Group 2, Summary for Policy Makers. This document is the second of three summaries of the 4th assessment report released in 2007. It focused on the impacts, adaptation and vulnerability to climate change. read more
depression and the body
Speakers from a conference held at the Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, came to the Science Media Centre to talk about advances in the understanding of depression, and the relationship between changes in the body and those in the brain. read more
launch of HFEA consultation on multiple births
The Science Media Centre asked fertility experts to comment on this story. read more
scientists comment on embryo regulation proposal
The Science and Technology Committee report expressed concern about potential plans to ban the creation of human-animal hybrid embryos for use in research. read more
engineering expert comments on breaking of train speed record
The record was broken by a high-speed (TGV) train in France, travelling at 574.8km/h (356mph). read more
radiation risks to human health
Dr Jim Smith from the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology spoke to journalists about the risks of exposure to radiation, and how these compare to other risks to health, from obesity to air pollution. read more
tsunami in Solomon Islands
Following an earthquake measuring 8.1 on the Richter scale immediately off the coast of the Solomon Islands, scientists responded to reports of a large tsunami that had resulted in multiple fatalities. read more
beef consumption in pregnancy
We asked scientists to comment on the finding published in the journal Human Reproduction that women who eat a lot of beef whilst pregnant have sons which grow up to have low sperm counts. read more
nanotechnology: has the Government done enough?
The Council of Science and Technology launched their report reviewing the Government’s progress on issues related to the emerging science of nanotechnology. read more
privacy in a surveillance society
The Science Media Centre brought together four experts to talk about the possible risks associated with the increasing use of CCTV surveillance. read more
scientists respond to Scottish funding for biomass projects and a hydrogen energy programme
Prof Roland Clift, Professor Of Environmental Technology, University of Surrey, said: “I’m delighted the Scottish Executive has realised something lost … read more