Workshop Berlin 2010
From IALS Life Sciences University Network
Workshop " Transdisciplinary Interfaces of Molecular Biology, Nano-technology
and Synthetic Biology: International Regulations, Ethics and Public Issues "
February 12th – 13th, 2010
Langenbeck-Virchow-Haus, Berlin
Aesculap Academy
I. Questions to be answered
Accompanying the cutting-edge advances in science and engineering have been controversial debates in governmental policy-making circles over appropriate legal and regulatory frameworks. Governments have focused on questions of regulation of the human genome, gene therapy, food and nutrition and promotion of research.
Transdisciplinary research is usually aimed explicitly at complex social and ecological problems, such as those at the interface of humanity, society and natural systems. Transdisciplinary approach implies full interaction between disciplines from a problem-based perspective. Transdisciplinary vision is transnational and transcultural, encompassing a wealth of ethics, beliefs and creative impulses.
II. Needs
Scientific institutions, medical organizations and companies involved in the Life Sciences, especially in the area of pharmaceutical and clinical research, operate within a legal environment which is controlled by international and national laws and ethical standards. These bodies all have to be able to identify the key statutes and trends in international law as they relate to the Life Sciences. Furthermore, gaining social and public acceptance essentially depends on attention to different ethical values within clinical research (e.g. stem cell or genome research). This is a prerequisite for the successful marketing of life-science-based products, such as pharmaceuticals.
III. Background
Biotechnology, Nanotechnology, Bioinformatics and Synthetic Biology within the Life Sciences, are all areas of special interdisciplinary interest. Biotechnology is often referred to as genetic engineering and combines disciplines like Molecular Biology, Genetics, Cell Biology and Bioinformatics. Controversial questions have been raised, e.g. the ownership and control of genetic information. At an individual level, the absence of legal protection can lead to discrimination in employment or insurance.
Recently there has also been much debate about the future implications of nanotechnology, which has the potential to create many new materials and devices, for example in medicine. They range from nanomaterials to nanoelectronic biosensors to possible applications for molecular nanotechnology. Synthetic Biology refers to the design and fabrication of biological components that do not already exist in the natural world.
IV. Sponsors
B. Braun Avitum AG, Melsungen (link)
Institute of Government and Public Affairs (link)
University of Massachusetts, Boston (link)
V. Program
Thursday 11th February
| 7:00 | Welcome and social get-together |
| Hotel Mercure Berlin an der Charité, Invalidenstrasse 38 |
Special Focus Sessions (photo gallery)
Friday 12th February
| 8:15 | Check-In |
| 9:00 - 9:15 | |
| • Welcome | Prof. Hilmar Stolte, Potsdam/Hannover (slides) |
| Prof. Joe Byrne, Boston | |
| 9:15 - 10:00 | |
| • “Controversies and Advances from a legal and ethical perspective.” | |
| Speaker: | Prof. Robert Rich, Urbana-Champaign |
| • “Future of Inter/Transdisciplinary Research in Life Sciences.” | |
| Speaker: | Prof. Winston Langley, Boston |
| 10:00 – 10:30 | Coffee Break |
| 10:30 – 12:30 | |
| • “State-of-the-art Biotechnology, Nanotechnology and Synthetic Biology.” | |
| Moderator: | Prof. Robert Price, London |
| Introductory Speakers: | Prof. Christopher Baum, Hannover |
| Prof. Monika Schäfer-Korting, Berlin | |
| Dr. Rainer Paslack, Bad Oeynhausen (presentation) | |
| • “Data Management and Bioinformatics and their Impact on Bio- and Nanotechnology.” | |
| Moderator: | Prof. Robert Price, London |
| Introductory Speakers: | Prof. Andrew J. Grosovsky, Boston |
| Prof. Knut Reinert, Berlin | |
| 12:30 - 13:30 | Lunch |
| 13:30 - 15:30 | |
| • “Different legal regulations in Europe and worldwide.” | |
| Moderator: | Prof. Robert Rich, Urbana-Champaign |
| Introductory Speakers: | Dr. Jürgen Mollenhauer, Reutlingen (slides) |
| Prof. Jürgen W. Simon, Lüneburg | |
| Dr. Julian Ziegler, Berlin (presentation) | |
| • “Different ethical standards in the conduct of research and translation into products in Europe versus the USA.” | |
| Moderator: | Prof. Paul U. Unschuld, Berlin |
| Introductory Speakers: | Prof. Jennifer Radden, Boston |
| Dr. Ole Döring, Hamburg | |
| Prof. Torsten Doenst, Leipzig | |
| 15:30 – 16:00 | Coffee Break |
| 16:00 – 17:45 | |
| • “How can public controversy be managed and acceptance achieved through appropriate measures?” | |
| Moderators: | Dr. Jay Byrne, St. Louis |
| Dr. Jens Katzek, Halle | |
| • Summary session and planning session for a workshop in 2011 “Life Sciences as a Driving Force behind Regional Development. How should it be done? Who should do it?“ | |
| Moderators: | Prof. Michael Collins, Worcester-Boston (slides) |
| Dr. Bernward Garthoff, Düsseldorf (slides) | |
| 18:30 | Buffet-Dinner Aesculap Academy, Langenbeck-Virchow-Haus |
VI. Outing
Saturday 13th February
| 10:30 - 13:00 | “Reichstag/Bundestag” (Nordeingang Paul-Löbe-Allee) (photo gallery) |
| “History of Berlin by Architecture“ (Robert Sander) (photo gallery) | |
| 13:15 | Lunch |
| 14:00 - 16:00 | “Neues Museum Berlin” (photo gallery) |
