EMBO/EMBL joint conferences on Science and Society

The tradition of these conferences is to promote mutual interest, understanding, and dialogue between biologists and a variety of other sectors of society that are concerned with the impact of modern biology. The conferences are open to the public, and there is no registration fee.

Conference organizers EMBO Andrew Moore Alessandra Bendiscioli EMBL Halldor Stefansson For more information contact scisoc@embo.org Conference Programme Statements arising from the EMBO/EMBL Conference on Science & Security Statements arising from the conference

Science and Security - 28-29 October 2005

Read articles from the speakers in the EMBO reports
Special Issue on Science & Security.

Conference Programme :: Conference Programme

Conference Proceedings

Speakers :

Philip Campbell , John Daugman , Didier Meuwly , David Shenk , Christoph Busch, Terence Taylor , Jan Van Aken , Helen Wallace , Eckard Wimmer

Empowerment and constriction in scientific communication
Philip Campbell,
Editor in Chief, Nature, UK
Abstract , Conference presentation

Recognising persons by their iris patterns: 200 billion iris comparisons
John Daugman,
Computer Laboratory, University of Cambridge, UK
Abstract , Conference presentation

Forensic human individualization from biometric data
Didier Meuwly, Project Manager,
Netherlands Forensic Institute, The Hague, The Netherlands
Abstract , Conference presentation

Watching you - Humanity hurtles toward total surveillance
David Shenk, Freelance journalist and book writer, USA
Abstract , Conference presentation

Governance of research – The international dimensionn
Terence Taylor, President and Executive Director,
International Institute for Strategic Studies, USA
Abstract , Conference presentation
International Council for The Life Sciences. Charter

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: dancing the thin line between biological defensive and offensive research
Jan Van Aken,
Study Group on Biological Arms Control, Hamburg University, and Sunshine Project, Germany
Abstract , Conference presentation

Biometrics and secure travel documents
Christoph Busch,
Fraunhofer-IGD, Dept. for Security Technology, Darmstadt, Germany
Conference presentation

The UK National DNA Database: balancing crime detection, human rights and privacy
Helen Wallace,
Deputy Director, GeneWatch, UK
Abstract , Conference presentation

Test tube synthesis of a human pathogenic virus (poliovirus): societal implications
Eckard Wimmer,
Professor, Stony Brook University School of Medicine,
New York, USA
Abstract , Conference presentation

Chairs :
Calum Bunney, Abstract

Malcolm Dando, Abstract

Regine Kollek, Abstract , Conference presentation

Dragan Primorac, Abstract

Panellists :

Ross Anderson , Abstract

Christophe Champod , Abstract , Conference presentation

Filippa Corneliussen , Abstract , Conference presentation

Henning Daum , Abstract , Conference presentation

Jeanne Guillemin , Abstract , Conference presentation

Richard Guthrie , Abstract

Brigitte Kofod Olsen , Abstract , Conference presentation

Andrew Marshall , Abstract , Conference presentation

Meryem Marzouki , Abstract , Conference presentation

Simone H. C. Scholze , Abstract , Conference presentation

Report of UNESCO's expert group on the Precautionary Principle, adopted by COMEST at its fourth session (March 2005). Available in English and French.

4th session of the world Commission on the Ethics of Scientific knowledge and Technology (COMEST)

Jonathan B. Tucker , Abstract , Conference presentation

Karsten Weber , Abstract , Conference presentation

Session I: Preventing the misuse of biological knowledge

How does our perception of risk match the reality when it comes to the possible misuse of biological knowledge? Does the first artificial synthesis of polio virus open the door to all who have access to a few chemicals, a computer and an evil intention? To what extent are global measures, enforced by a kind of "biological control police", really feasible? Can measures be applied to restrict and control access to and application of biological knowledge, products or processes to only those with good intentions?

Can open publication and exchange of information and materials in the academic world endanger national security? Should and can restrictions on the freedom of research, realistically be applied? How would this affect the productivity of the research world? How does this extend to visa restrictions for mobile scientists, institutional policy on hiring, firing and research contracts? If research is funded by public money, must it be made publicly available?

The shape of your ears is almost as good as your fingerprint in terms of identifying you unambiguously; the pattern of your irises is even better! Used in combination, their power increases yet further. Iris scan technology is already used in some airports in Europe and the USA to speed up passenger transit. What is the state of the art in biometrics, biological forensics and the science of identification? What are the benefits of the technology? Are there disadvantages? How are such developments viewed by the public? What does the future hold in terms of needs, innovations and dialogue with the public?

The UK has the world's highest per capita number of public surveillance cameras; airport check-ins now have iris scan technology for speeding up passenger transit. More personal information is collected from us now than ever before in history - either for our convenience or security - and the upwards trend is continuing. What is the state of the art of information interpretation/annotation technology? How can we ensure that the advantages of having this information are properly used? What is the balance between protecting society and protecting the individual? How is information applied at the levels of personal, societal, national and international security? How should international exchange of information be regulated?

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