Author Archives: Science Media Centre
scientists comment on new research into the environmental impact of GM crops
The research, which will feed into the Government’s Science Review on GM, produced evidence on some of the major concerns about the possible impact of GM crops on the environment and wildlife in the UK. read more
environmental impact of GM sugar beet
New Research from Broom’s Barn Research Station. read more
ricin – Rapid Reaction
Following the discovery of traces of the poison ricin in a flat in north London, the Science Media Centre found scientists who were able to provide journalists with more information about this chemical toxin. read more
how to get Britain’s railways back on track
The Science Media Centre invited two engineering experts to speak to journalists about how the efficiency and safety of Britain’s rail infrastructure could be improved. read more
scientists react to publication of the draft mouse genome
The work on the mouse genome, carried out by the Mouse Genome Sequencing Consortium, was published in Nature. read more
scientists comment on launch of GM science review
The GM science review was launched by the Government amidst encouragements for both scientists and members of the public to take part via the website, and a series of meetings across the country. read more
launch of Greenfield Report on Women in Science
Baroness Susan Greenfield, accompanied by policy experts, spoke to journalists about her newly published report on the recruitment and retention of women in the fields of science, engineering and technology. read more
the future of GM
Four experts in GM and agriculture research spoke to journalists about the potential application of this technology to problems in health and agriculture, in the UK and in developing countries. read more
vaccine overload – urban myth or real threat?
Experts in vaccines and in child health came to brief journalists on the myths surrounding multiple vaccines, and whether there is real cause for parents to be concerned. read more
IVF blunders – isolated incidents or a regular occurrence?
One of the country’s leading fertility experts spoke to journalists about current and future practice inside the UK’s IVF clinics, in light of recent high-profile mix-ups. read more
the future for biodiversity – threats & opportunities
The Science Media Centre invited two leading experts to discuss the need for human and political action to preserve the Earth’s biodiversity into the future. read more
scientists comment on ethics council report on behavioural genetics
This week the Nuffield Council on Bioethics published their report on ‘Genes and Human Behaviour’ to tackle the contentious ethical issues in this area of research. The report concentrates the influence which genes have on ‘normal’ behaviour, rather than on specific diseases. read more
scientists comment on breakthrough in understanding of malaria
The comments follow the announcement, published in both Nature and Science, that the genomes of both the malaria parasite and the mosquito have been sequenced, raising hopes for the eventual development of a cure for malaria. read more
release of report from ‘MMR lessons’ meeting
The report was published following the ‘MMR: Learning Lessons’ meeting, which was hosted by the Science Media Centre in May 2002. read more
scientists comment on biotechnology and agriculture report
The Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commision (AEBC) published its report “Animals and Biotechnology”, calling for new ground rules for GM and cloned animals in agriculture. read more
scientists react to breakthrough in pig-to-human transplants
PPL Theraputics, the company behind Dolly the Sheep, has successfully cloned the world’s first ‘double knock-out’ pigs. The animals were genetically altered to prevent human rejection of transplanted pig organs. This research has huge implications for cloning, ‘xenotransplantation’ (organ transplants from animals to humans) and research ethics. read more
release of House of Lords animal research report
The Science Media Centre asked experts to comment on the release of the House of Lords’ Select Committee report on the use of animals in scientific procedures. read more
scientists comment on DNA ethics report
The report published by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, recommends a number of significant changes to the way that DNA patents are granted, and proposed that patents involving DNA sequences be allowed only in exceptional circumstances. read more
scientists comment on spending review announcement
Gordon Brown has announced that science education and research will receive a huge boost in government funding. The money will go to refurbishing old laboratories, improving the salaries of junior university scientists, and helping universities to profit from their discoveries. read more
scientists comment on the GCSE science curriculum
These comments follow the publication of a report into science education by the House of Commons’ Science and Technology Committee, which includes scathing criticism for the GCSE science curricula. read more