Join the EAGLES Forum

EAGLES Forum is open to all people interested in supporting and participating in the initiative. To register, please specify:

• your full contact details
• what forum you wish to join (Food, Health or both)
• if you want to be actively involve in EAGLES activities
• if you want to be informed on EAGLES events and activities.

Contact:
, Chairman of EFB Task Group on EAGLES
Department of Genetics
Trinity College Dublin
IRL-Dublin 2
Tel. +353 1 6081140
Fax. +353 1 6714968

, Executive Director of EAGLES EU Project
Hernani 68, 6B
28020 Madrid, Spain
Tel.: +34 91 220 3157
Skype Name: jensdegett

Prof Huanming Yang

Co-Vice Chairman EAGLES (Director, Human Genome Centre, CAS, Beijing, China)

Huanming Yang is Professor of Genetics, and Director of Beijing Genomics Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China. His interests include the mapping and cloning of human genes, sequencing and analysis of the human genome, human genome diversity and evolution, as well as the ethical, legal, and social issues related to genome research. As coordinator in China of the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium, Prof Yang is one of the main players in China’s effort in human genome sequencing.

Among a number of other high-level positions, Prof Yang is a member of the Expert Panel of the National Office for Administration on Genetic Materials, and the Expert Committee of Field of Life Sciences, National Programs on Hightech (“863”), China. He is also a member of the Planning Group on ELSI in Human Genetics, WHO, the International Bioethics Committee, UNESCO, and the Expert Group on Biotech for the High Commissioner on Human Rights, UN.

Prof Ismail Serageldin, Chairman

Director, Library of Alexandria, Egypt, previously Vice-President World Bank

Ismail Serageldin is Director of the Library of Alexandria in his native Eygpt and Distinguished University Professor at Wageningen University in The Netherlands. Prof. Serageldin has served in a number of capacities at the World Bank, latterly as a vice president with briefs on environmentally and socially sustainable development, and special programmes. He is also a member of advisory committees for several academic and scientific institutions, including the Indian National Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the European Academy of Sciences and Arts. He served as chairman of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) from 1994-2000. Prof. Serageldin has written more than 45 books and monographs and over 200 papers on a variety of topics including biotechnology, rural development, sustainability, and the value of science to society.

Publications

• How should public policy respond to the challenges of modern biotechnology? Do the makers of public policy need to respond to the challenges raised by modern biotechnology? Many have answered, ‘Yes, certainly’; this article reviews some of the resulting responses — and their consequences.
• Public understanding and perception of plant biotechnology in the EU: Myth and reality This paper reviews recent surveys of public opinion on risk to human health, environmental impact, increase in economic power of multinational corporations, deterioration in food quality, threat to traditional farming and rural society, and general moral acceptability in Europe.
• Ten Years of GM Crops in Argentine Agriculture The introduction of genetically modified crops in Argentina 10 years ago has had a tremendous effect on the agriculture and a positive impact on the overall economy of the country. Read this report to find out what experience Argentina has with GM-foods.
• Commentary by EAGLES on the Seventh Framework Programme
• The ‘evergreen revolution’, by Dick Ahlstrom, Science Editor, 24/06/04. © The Irish Times
• An international effort to fight hunger and disease, by Dick Ahlstrom, Science Editor, 24/06/04. © The Irish Time
• Summary and recommendations: The use of genetically modified crops in developing countries, Nuffield Council of Bioethics, June 2003. This Discussion Paper is a follow-up to the Council’s 1999 Report, Genetically modified crops: the ethical and social issues. The Paper reassesses the recommendations and conclusions in the light of recent developments in science and policy. For more information and to download the discussion paper, please visit www.nuffieldbioethics.org/publications
• Conference “Towards Sustainable Agriculture for Developing Countries: Options for Life Sciences and Biotechnology” Brussels, Belgium, 30-31 January 2003. Final Brochure (pdf, 863kb) Proceedings (html page)
• Biotechnology and sustainability, The fight against infectious disease, © OECD 2003 (pdf)
• Sustainable Agriculture for a Food Secure Third World by Ismail Serageldin, 1999 (word, 49kb)

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Activities of EAGLES

Project under the Sixth Framework Programme and other fundings

The European Commission has referred to the needs of the developing world in Life Sciences & Biotechnology - A Strategy for Europe Action Plan, and we know that more would be done if public and political opinion could be mobilised.

Following the first EAGLES meeting in Brussels, January 2003 and the constitution of an EAGLES Steering Committee, composed of scientists from developing countries and Europe, a proposal has been submitted to the European Commission in April 2003 to fund the setting up of EAGLES in the name of the members of the EAGLES Consortium. Unfortunately this proposal, essentially a planning stage for further actions, was not granted by the European Commission. Further planning was therefore set-up by EAGLES members through informal actions.

Two EAGLES Programmes were developed in the area of Health and Food and submitted to the European Commission in November 2003 and February 2004 respectively. Both proposals were evaluated positively. The Food Programme officially started on 1st July 2005 and the Health Programme started on 1st January 2006.

EAGLES FORA

EAGLES activities are divided in two Fora:

• EAGLES Food Forum
• EAGLES Health Forum

The EAGLES Food Forum is a multilateral review, strategy and communications programme which will strengthen the European responses to the global challenges posed by food security, quality, safety and agriculture, including environmental conservation, in the developing world.

The programme has been designed and will be implemented by a group of leading EU and DEC life scientists, regulatory and communication specialists, and ethicists in the agriculture and food area. The aims are:

1) To review and define strategies of food, agriculture and biotechnology research in Europe and with a world-wide perspective, in view of tackling global challenges and meeting the needs of developping countries
2) To encourage open and balanced dialogue with the European public, media and opinion formers about the needs and competencies of the DEC in this specific sector.

EAGLES Food Forum provides a platform for the scientists from DEC and the EU where they will be able to:

• Give voice in Europe through various consultations and dialogues to the needs and competencies of the DEC in the life sciences;
• give input and advise to Framework Programme 7 on collaboration with DEC countries on research on food (security, quality and safety), agriculture and biotechnology, including environmental issues;
• encourage and advise Europeans in applying more effectively European competencies in the life sciences for the benefit of the poor and needy in the DECs;
• discuss ethical and regulatory questions in the life sciences from the perspective of the needs of the developing and emerging countries and
• strengthen the global responsibilities of EU programmes in research, education, innovation, application and implementation.
initiate and promote extensive international S&T cooperation and collaboration between developed and developing countries in achieving the United Nations Millenium Goals and other EU international commitments towards adressing global challenges and meeting the needs of the least developped countries.

The Eagles Health Programme is a communications programme which will strengthen the European responses to the global challenges posed by poverty-related diseases in the developing world. The programme has been designed and will be implemented by a group of leading life scientists in the health area from Europe and the developing world. The aim is to provide information to the European public, media and opinion formers about the needs and competencies of the developing and emerging countries (DEC) as they face the challenges of poverty-related disease.

The Programme has four practical components:

1. The EAGLES Health Management and Communication Office will coordinate the programme, in particular stimulating the flow of information about the effect of European health programmes and policies on poverty-related disease in the developing world;

2. EAGLES Health Lecturers, authoritative scientists and other experts from the DEC, will consult, lecture, speak and write in Europe, and beyond where appropriate;

3. EAGLES Health Reports will assess the scale and effectiveness of European policies and programmes for DEC;

4. EAGLES Health Symposia will discuss the policies and programmes. They will review and define strategies on selected topics for subsequent development and implementation.

The key strategy of EAGLES is to involve leading scientists and humanitarians from the developing world in public and political discussions in Europe so that it will be better informed about the needs of the developing and emerging countries (DEC) and the ways in which European life science programmes and policies can contribute to meeting these needs.

If you wish to organise events to achieve a better understanding and awareness of the global responsibilities of European life sciences towards developind countries please contact .

EAGLES Consortium

The EAGLES Consortium presently comprises a number of well-known scientists from the EU and Developing Countries in approximately equal proportions. They are combining their expertise and knowledge of the life sciences, with much experience of the role of the life sciences in the DCs. They have substantial knowledge of the way in which the life sciences are organised, mobilised and applied in Europe and in the developing world. Many have worked together on other major projects. The group has established relationships, complementarities and synergies which will be valuable in designing and implementing the EAGLES programme.

Chairmanship:

Prof. Ismail Serageldin, Chairman of EAGLES, Director of the New Library of Alexandria
Dr. Huanming Yang, Co-Vice Chairman of EAGLES, Director, Beijing Genome Institute
Prof. David McConnell, Co-Vice Chairman of EAGLES, Trinity College, Ireland
Jens Degett, Executive Director, Madrid, Spain

The EAGLES Health Committee:

• Prof. Fred Binka, Indepth Network, Ghana
• Prof. Lars Bolund, University of Aarhus, Denmark
• Dr. Francesc Godia Casablancas, Departament d’Enginyeria Química, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
• Prof. Julio Celis, Secretary General, Federation of European Biochemical Societies, Denmark
• Dr. Werner Christie, Formerly Minister of Health, Government of Norway
• Prof. Brian Clark, Past President, International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Prof. Borge Diderichsen, EFB Former President, Novo Nordisk, Copenhagen, Denmark
• Prof. Fotis C. Kafatos, Imperial College, London, England
• Prof. David McConnell, Chairman, EAGLES Health Programme & EFB EAGLES Task Group, Co-Vice Chairman of EAGLES, Trinity College Dublin
• Dr. Ismail Serageldin, Chairman of EAGLES, Director of the New Library of Alexandria
• Prof. Zihe Rao, Chairman, Department of Structural Biology, Tsinghua University, China
• Prof. Robert E. Sinden, Imperial College, London
• Prof. Jisnuson Svasti, Department of Biochemistry, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
• Dr. Carmen Vela, Manager Director at INGENASA, Madrid, Spain.
• Prof. Huanming Yang, Co-Vice Chairman of EAGLES, Director, Beijing Genome Institute
• Sir Magdi Habib Yacoub, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, England
• Prof. Tilahun Yilma, International Laboratory of Molecular Biology, University of California, Davis
• Mr. Jens Degett, EAGLES Executive Director, Spain

The EAGLES Food Steering Committee:

• Dr Ismail Serageldin, Chairman of EAGLES, Director of the New Library of Alexandria, Egypt
• Prof David McConnell, Chairman, EAGLES Food Forum & EFB EAGLES Task Group, Co-Vice Chairman of EAGLES, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
• Prof. Huanming Yang, Co-Vice Chairman of EAGLES, Director, Beijing Genome Institute, China
• Prof Patrick Cunningham, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland and European Group on Life Sciences
• Dr Adel El-Beltagy, Director General, International Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas, Research Centre of CGIAR, Syria
• Prof Arturo Falaschi, Director-General, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Italy
• Prof Luis Herrera- Estrella, National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico
• Prof Marc van Montagu, Gent University, Belgium and European Group on Life Sciences
• Mr. Albert Sasson, Special Adviser to the UNESCO Director General, Paris
• Prof M S Swaminathan, Chairman, Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai, India
• Jennifer A Thomson, Dept of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, South Africa
• Dr. Eduardo Trigo, Scientific Adviser to the International Directorate of the Secretariat for Science, Technology & Innovation of the Argentine Government, Argentina
• Dr Florence Wambugu, Executive Director, Harvest Biotech Foundation International, Kenya

EAGLES History and Statement

Origin and organisation of EAGLES

EAGLES was set up through the initiative of members of the European Federation of Biotechnology (EFB). EAGLES arose from conversations between the former President of the EFB, Prof. Borge Diderichsen, Novo Nordisk with Prof. Huanming Yang, Director of the Beijing Genomics Institute and other members of EFBIC, and with members of the European Group on Life Sciences (EGLS) set up by Commissioner Busquin. An ad hoc group supported by EFB met in Brussels during the EGLS conference “Towards sustainable agriculture for developing countries: options from life sciences and biotechnologies” 30-31 January 2003. EAGLES aims and strategy were defined and new members were invited to join, many from developing and emerging countries.

It was established as a Task Group of EFB, which provides advice and support, as well as an administrative structure and its large network.

Dr. Serageldin, the Director of the Library of Alexandria, is Chairman of EAGLES. He was formerly Vice-President of The World Bank and Chairman (1993-2000) of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). Prof. Huanming Yang who led the Chinese human genome initiative is Co-Vice Chairmen.

Prof. David McConnell, as Co-Vice Chairman of EAGLES, chairs the Task Group on EAGLES, which coordinates the efforts of all the consortium members to develop and fund the programme.

EAGLES and Scientists’ Global Responsibilities

The OECD countries have dominated the development and application of life sciences over the last 25 years – lacking a global perspective they have defined the economic, commercial, legal and ethical frameworks for biotechnology without taking any significant account of the needs of the developing world Developing World problems pose huge humanitarian challenges for life scientists. Distinguished Third World scientists, who are making very significant contributions to international science, are in a position to give powerful advice on the development of life sciences. Europe has a duty to listen to them. A new dialogue is required in which the needs, the voices and the opinions of the emerging and developing countries should be clearly identified, heard and heeded. EAGLES will serve as a platform for achieving this dialogue between scientists from the DECs and European politicians, policy makers, members of the media and other leaders of public opinion.

The EAGLES declaration

The members of EAGLES are determined to ensure that the skills and resources of European life sciences are properly used for the benefits of mankind. The members of EAGLES believe:

1. That the greatest humanitarian challenges for the life sciences lie in the problems of illness, starvation and environmental degradation which are faced by hundreds of millions of people in our world today, and will be faced by millions more in the coming decades.
2. That life scientists everywhere have a responsibility to address these global challenges.
3. That European life scientists could and should make a much greater contribution to meet these challenges.
4. That European policies should facilitate the life sciences in meeting these challenges.
5. In addressing these challenges that the people of Europe and their leaders should pay careful attention to the knowledge and advice of distinguished life scientists and humanists from the developing and emerging countries.

EAGLES meeting with Parliamentarians

11 October 2006

An EAGLES meeting for Members of the European Parliament (MEP) and other stakeholders in Brussels gave very good response from the MEP’s and the Commission. A mechanism for measuring how much the developing world is participating in the 7th Framework Programme is being suggested. The MEP’s are now well aware of the EAGLES target line of 5% research money to developing world about 2.850.000.000 € in the 7th Framework Programme budget.

Download: http://efb-central.org/eagles/EAGLES_in_Brussels.pdf

6th INDEPTH AGM

17 - 22 September 2006

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Theme: Developing Scientific Capacity for Health Surveillance and Response in the Developing World

After the workshop key participants sat together to discuss what are the major problems in Africa concerning research and development of a vaccine against HIV/AIDS. The recording was made by Robert Walgate.

Download the discussion in mp3 format.

Download information: Conference Program