Advanced Course on Biotechnology Ethics
and Public Perceptions of Biotechnology

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

What is the course about?
The course programme is designed to provide the theory and skills necessary for effective interactive communication in biotechnology. 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, patenting 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.

To celebrate the fifth year anniversary of the course a reunion symposium will be held on Saturday the 3rd of April. Prof. Richard Braun will chair the symposium for former course participants. Speakers include: Prof. Julian Kinderlerer, Prof. Willy de Greef & Dr. Bernard Dixon.

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, all meals and entrance to the symposium. For registration, please complete and return the attached form together with a CV and a letter of motivation before February 1st, 2004.

Further information
Ir. Kim Meulenbroeks, EFB Task Group on Public Perceptions of Biotechnology,
Kim.Meulenbroeks@efbpublic.org, +31-15-2127800O

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 (invited), UK
Prof. Klaus Ammann, Botanical Garden Bern, CH
Prof. Deryck Beyleveld, UK
Drs. Henriette Bout, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, NL
Prof. Richard Braun, CH
Dr. Donald Bruce (invited), UK
Prof. Joske Bunders, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, NL
Prof. Tjard de Cock Buning, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, NL
Dr. Bernard Dixon, UK
Dr. Peter Evans, UK
Dr. George Gaskell (invited), UK
Prof. Willy de Greef
Dr. S.A. Hertzberger (invited), Albert Heijn, NL
Dr. Theresa Kennedy, USA
Mr. Alistair Kent (invited), UK
Prof. Julian Kinderlerer, UK
Ms. Lise Kingo, Novo Nordisk, DK
Prof. David McConnell, Trinity College Dublin, IR
Drs. Patricia Osseweijer, Kluyver Centre for Genomics in Industrial Fermentation, NL
Mr. Douglas Parr (invited), Greenpeace, UK
Prof. Heinz Saedler (invited), GE
Prof. Raymond Spier, 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. Raymond Spier, r.spier@surrey.ac.uk
The website of HEduBT: www.eurodoctor.it

Programme
(the full programme is presented at www.efbpublic.org)

Sunday 28 March: Evening Arrival
Opening Lecture; Welcome buffet

Monday 29 March: Introduction
General introduction; Presentations by participants; What are ethics/morals?

Tuesday 30 March: Issues in relation to ethics and biotechnology
Ethical systems; Case study on Rational Decision Making in Ethics; Respecting cultural values, The New Zealand case; Ethical issues in biotechnology, an evolutionary approach; The Moral Status of the Human Embryo, Foetus and stem cells; Case study and consensus exercise on Human Cloning

Wednesday 31 March: Ethics and Society
Business and Ethics; Ethics and Communication; Participative strategies for implementing biotechnology innovations in developing countries; Biodiversity as context of food production; Using genetic information to make personal health decisions

Thursday 1 April: Biotechnologists and regulatory issues
Law in biotechnology; Regulatory Committees, the practice of risk assessment and the precautionary principle; Integrated ethical assessment frame for GMO licensing; Field trial assessment, role play exercise; Religion and Biotechnology

Friday 2 April: Risk assessment and perception
Risk Assessment, what is it, and how is it done; Risk perception; Surveys, Eurobarometer, stakeholders and issues in Europe; EFB Task Group on Public Perceptions of Biotechnology, past and future; Group work on integral communication

Saturday 3 April: Reunion Symposium 5th Oxford Anniversary
European Union after lifting the moratorium on GM Food; Global relations & Ethical consequences; Media relations

Sunday 4 April: How do the media work?
Press conference simulation; How do the media work?; Writing about science for non-scientists; Writing Exercises

Monday 5 April: Oral communication
Oral communication, radio and TV; Exercises, radio interviews, presentations, talks; The role of scientists in communication, campaign planning

Tuesday 6 April: Science communication
Communication strategy: institute or university, environmental organisations, retailers; Communication Strategic Plan: group work - Nasty situations given to groups

Wednesday 7 April: Company and Research Institute strategies
Communication strategy: Agrobiotech companies, how to set up GM and non-GM chain of production; Communication strategy: The United States approach; Presentations

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