Advanced Course on Biotechnology Ethics and Public Perceptions of Biotechnology

28 March - 7 April 2004, St Edmund Hall, Oxford, UK

The course programme is designed to provide the theory and skills necessary for effective interactive communication in biotechnology. The workshop is targeted at PhD students, post-graduates and lecturers in research institutes and companies from throughout Europe and Accession Countries.

After a general introduction on ethics, there will be a debate on ethical aspects in biotechnology, highlighting the reasoning for decisions. In the ethical aspects of biotechnology, examples will include the status of human beings in cloning and genetic diseases, GM food issues, patenting and commercial use of living organisms. Rational decision-making in ethics will be discussed in relation to regulations, patent issues, liability, risk assessment procedures and risk perceptions.

The second part of the course will be dedicated to public perceptions, science communication and company's/organisation’s communication strategies. Various means for public perceptions understanding and analysis, as well as the issues and consequences will be presented. The course programme covers the media culture, its use and how it works, followed by training in writing, public speaking and interview handling. Training in design and execution of a communication strategy will be supported by presentations by experienced managers of companies, institutes and consumer and patients’ organisations.

Who should attend?

The workshop is targeted at PhD students, post-graduates and lecturers in research institutes and companies from throughout Europe and the Accession Countries, working in the field of biotechnology. The course will allow a maximum of 30 participants who are selected by the Board of the course on the bases of their CV and letter of motivation.

Where and when does the course take place?

The course will be given from Sunday 28th of March 2004 until Wednesday 7th of April 2004 at St. Edmund Hall, Oxford University, England.

What is the fee and how do I register?

Cost of the total course is 2400 euros. This includes fee, accommodation and all meals. Special funds of 900 are available for young PhD students. For registration, please complete and return the attached form together with a CV and a letter of motivation: before February 13, 2004.

For further information please contact: 

Ir. Kim Meulenbroeks, EFB Task Group on Public Perceptions of Biotechnology, 

Kim.Meulenbroeks@efbpublic.org 

Tel: +31-15-212-7800.

Organisation
The course is organised by the European Federation of Biotechnology Task Group on Public Perceptions of Biotechnology, in collaboration with the Kluyver Centre for Genomics of Industrial Fermentation and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Board of the course
Dr. David Bennett, EFB Task Group on Public Perceptions of Biotechnology
Prof. Joske Bunders, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Drs. Patricia Osseweijer, Kluyver Centre for Genomics in Industrial Fermentation
Prof. Raymond Spier, European Association for Higher Education in Biotechnology

Lecturers
Dr. John Adams, University College London, UK
Prof. Klaus Ammann, Botanical Garden Bern, CH

Dr. Sofia Ben Tahar, Limagrain, F
Prof. Deryck Beyleveld, University of Sheffield, UK
Drs. Henriette Bout, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, NL
Prof. Richard Braun, Biolink, CH
Dr. Donald Bruce, Church of Scotland, UK
Prof. Joske Bunders, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, NL
Prof. Tjard de Cock Buning, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, NL
Dr. Bernard Dixon, American Society for Microbiology, UK
Dr. Peter Evans, BBC Science Unit, UK
Dr. George Gaskell, London School of Economics, UK
Prof. Willy de Greef, International Biotech Regulatory Services, B
Theresa Kennedy, Hill and Knowlton, CA
Mr. Alistair Kent, Genetic Interest Group London, UK
Prof. Julian Kinderlerer, University of Sheffield, UK
Ms. Lise Kingo, Novo Nordisk, DK
Prof. David McConnell, Trinity College Dublin, IRL
Drs. Patricia Osseweijer, Kluyver Centre for Genomics in Industrial Fermentation, NL
Mr. Douglas Parr, Greenpeace, UK
Prof. Heinz Saedler, Max-Planck-Instituut, D
Prof. Raymond Spier, University of Surrey, UK

European Doctorate in BioTechnology Programme
This course can be taken as part of the European Doctorate in BioTechnology (EDBT) programme of the European Association for Higher Education in Biotechnology (HEduBT). It provides an additional title to PhD’s who have completed a multidisciplinary curriculum and research thesis in biotechnology, or one of its component disciplines, in a European country. More information can be obtained from: Prof. Franco Celada, edbt@cba.unige.it or the website of HEduBT: www.eurodoctor.it

Detailed programme and Registration form of the course