Activities > European Action on Latin American Functional Foods (EULAFF)

European Action on Latin American Functional Foods (EULAFF)

The EULAFF project focuses on supporting the functional food sectors in Europe and Latin America. It aims at creating an agri-food chain innovation system for identification and development of novel functional foods, in order to build a sustainable bi-regional functional food sector. The specific goals of the EULAFF project will contribute to:

For achieving these goals the project has planned a series of lectures, debates, roundtables and symposia with the participation of authoritative scientists, experts from the industry and several stakeholders from Europe and Latin America. The proposal also includes the development of a virtual community networking system and on-line information resources to support the collaborative effort and to stimulate the dissemination of information pertaining to the use of biological diversity of agricultural crops grown in Latin America with functional food potential.

Contact Info:

Coordinator of the EULAFF Project
Christian Suojanen
Secretary General of EFB
Pg. Lluís Companys, 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
Phone: + 34 93 268 87 96
Mobile:  +34 617 907 347
Fax: +34 93 268 45 00
E-mail: christian@efb-central.org

Executive Director of the EULAFF Project
Dr. Javier Verástegui
Secretary General of BIOEUROLATINA
Calle de Valderribas, 81, 2do. D, 28007 Madrid, Spain
Mobile:  +34 630 925 374
E-mail:  javier.verastegui@bioeurolatina.com

Activities > European Action on Global Life Sciences (EAGLES)

European Action on Global Life Sciences (EAGLES)

As a major player in life sciences and holding influential positions in international deliberations, Europe has a responsibility to help the developing world deal with the risks, challenges and opportunities of these technologies, and to facilitate the safe and efficient development and use of life sciences and biotechnology in developing countries.

European Action in Global Life Sciences (EAGLES) intends to address these questions by designing and implementing projects to be carried out mostly by life scientists from developing countries that will stimulate and facilitate activities for the European life sciences to respond to the needs of developing countries.

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:

• 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.

• That life scientists everywhere have a responsibility to address these global challenges.

• That European life scientists could and should make a much greater contribution to meet these challenges.

• That European policies should facilitate the life sciences in meeting these challenges.

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.

Contact Info:

Chairman of EFB Task Group on EAGLES
Professor David McConnell
Department of Genetics
Trinity College Dublin
IRL-Dublin 2
Tel. +353 1 6081140
Fax. +353 1 6714968
David.McConnell@tcd.ie

Executive Director of EAGLES EU project
Jens Degett
Hernani 68, 6B
28020 Madrid, Spain
Tel.: +34 91 220 3157
jdegett@jubii.dk

Events > G16 - Research Frontiers in Chalcogen Cycle Science and Technology

G16 - Research Frontiers in Chalcogen Cycle Science and Technology

28-29 May 2008

Chalcogens are elements belonging to periodic table group 16 and include the elements oxygen, sulfur, selenium and tellurium. These elements, their biogeological cycles and interactions with metals have been studied within the Marie Curie Excellence Grant “Novel Biogeological Methods for Heavy Metal
Removal” headed by Prof. Piet Lens. On the occasion of the conclusion of this team, the biannual G16 International Conference is launched.

The programme, poster and full information is available for download:
G16 Chalcogen Conference 2008.pdf

For further information, cotact:
Jack Bartacek
e-mail: Jan.Bartacek@wur.nl

Events > 3rd ESF Conference on Functional Genomics and Disease

3rd ESF Conference on Functional Genomics and Disease

1-4 October 2008

The 3rd ESF Conference on Functional Genomics and Disease programme will include plenary speakers covering topics including Genome Variation, Whole Genome Association Studies, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microarrays, Comparative Genomics, RNAi, Oncogenomics, Neurogenomics, Signalling and Networks.

Parallel symposia from 15 EC consortia will cover the areas of Systems Biology, Affinity Proteomics, Microarray Development & Exploitation, Genome Annotation, Lymphangiogenomics, Pathogenic Organisms, Mouse Genome Mutagenesis, T Cells, Biobanking, RNAi, Ageing, Epigenomics, Genomics of Metabolic Syndromes, Lipidomics and Transcriptome Atlas.

Deadlines
30 May 2008 for abstract submissions - 30 June 2008 for early registration

For further information on the programme, exhibition and poster sessions, please visit www.esffg2008.org/

Events > Ultra-Fast Genomics Conference

Ultra-Fast Genomics Conference

8-10 December 2008

The focus of Ultra-Fast Genomics conference will include:

Take a look at the 2008 First Announcement and Call for Papers or visit www.ultrafastgenomics.com for more information.

Events > European White Biotechnology Summit

European White Biotechnology Summit

21-22 May 2008

The European White Biotechnology Summit is a specialist event dedicated to the chemicals and materials industries in Europe whereby strategies for the adoption of white biotech processes can be discussed and practical information on overcoming some of the associated challenges within this emerging field shared. The conference will also act as a meeting place for multinationals, smes and academics involved in this area of work from across Europe in order to provide vital networking opportunities where attendees can catch up with old colleagues and meet new business contacts.

Be part of this event to:

More information at www.iir-events.com/IIR-Conf/page.aspx?id=11252

Events > European Roundtable on Sustainable Consumption and Production (erscp2008)

European Roundtable on Sustainable Consumption and Production (erscp2008)

23-25 September 2008

The erscp2008 will be part of the 5th BMBF Forum for Sustainability, which will take place simultaneously in the ewerk, Berlin. The common event framework will offer lots of space and time for European and international networking.

The main issues of erscp2008 are:

The conference is expected to attract approx. 300 international participants, including:

Contact information:

Dr Guenter Reuscher
Zukuenftige Technologien Consulting
der VDI Technologiezentrum GmbH
Graf-Recke-Str. 84
40239 Duesseldorf
Tel. 0211-62 14 688
reuscher@vdi.de
http://www.zt-consulting.de

more information at: http://www.fona.de/erscp2008 - conference details (i.e. call for contributions)

Events > European Bioperspectives 2008

European Bioperspectives 2008

7-9 October 2008

European Bioperspectives 2008 will be combined with Biotechnica the leading exhibition for the European biotech industry which had 13,000 visitors last year.

The Scientific Programme Committee invites you to submit abstracts on the following topics:

- Bioinformatics / Metabolic Analysis / Protein Engineering
- Functional Genomics / Systems Biology / Proteomics
- Industrial Biotechnology (Bioprocess Engineering / Biocatalysis / Plant biotechnology)
- Molecular and Personalised Medicine / Regenerative Medicine / Personalised Nutrition
- Chemical Biology / Natural Products

Abstracts for presentations (lectures and posters) should be submitted online at www.bioperspectives.org by March 14, 2008.

Download for additional information: European Bioperspectives 2008 - Brochure

Events > Industrial Biotechnology International Conference IBIC 2008

Industrial Biotechnology International Conference IBIC 2008

8-11 June 2008

This conference will cover very timely topics of Industrial Biotechnology by invitation of skilled Italian and international speakers. IBIC2008 aims to exchange up-to the minute information on industrial needs, new technology developments and research opportunities.

Full details of the speakers, full programme and registration are available on the event website: http://www.aidic.it/IBIC2008/

Events > Biological Production 2008

Biological Production 2008

2-4 June 2008

Now in its 7th year, Biological Production is firmly established as Europe’s leading gathering of biological manufacturing, production and cGMP specialists attending year on year to learn, network and do business.

Conference highlights include:

Full details of the speakers, full programme and registration are available on the event website: http://www.biologicalproduction.com

Events > Biopharmaceuticals: why use yeasts?

Biopharmaceuticals: why use yeasts?

22-23 May 2008

The BioTech 2008 & Swiss-Czech Symposium is a follow-up to the successful 2005 event on advances in yeast biotechnology, which attracted many European researchers. This year’s event aims to evaluate the potential of the next-generation of expression systems (in particular, Pichia pastoris, Hansenula polymorpha, Yarrowia lipolytica, Arxula adeninivorans and Schizosaccharomyces pombe) in respect of their applications in the fields of therapeutic proteins, enzymes for the synthesis/modification of pharmaceuticals, drug target proteins, and proteins for diagnostics.

The sessions and panel discussions will address the following topics:

More information at: http://www.biotech2008.ch/about_/scope/

Download: Flyer Biotech2008 (pages) - Flyer BioTech2008

Events > 25 years of HIV

25 years of HIV

19-21 May 2008

HIV was isolated 25 years ago. HIV research then and now bear no comparison. While the meeting will understandably take us back to 1983, it seeks to present cutting edge research from the virus to the clinic. It kicks off with structural studies on the virus and moves on to how the host cell tries to restrict replication by a variety of different approaches. The day ends with an overview of the enormous diversity of simian look-alike virus. The second day is resolutely immunological and covers antibodies, T cell responses and immunopathogenesis. The ensemble is tied up by reviewing the impact of human polymorphisms on disease progression. The last day turns to the difficult problems of a vaccine and drug resistance. The changing face of clinical AIDS and the disease burden in the Africa and Asia bring up the rear.

More information at: http://www.pasteur.fr/infosci/conf/sb/25yearsHIV/index.html

Events > ESBES 7th European Symposium on Biochemical Engineering Science

ESBES 7th European Symposium on Biochemical Engineering Science

7-10 October 2008

The ESBES Symposium Series has developed to the leading platform for the community over the last years which provides the opportunity for biochemical scientists and engineers but also for researchers of adjacent fields to exchange their experiences.

Looking at the conference topics you will see that all areas of the discipline are covered. Workshops on new and promising technologies complete the programme.

More information at: http://www.esbes2008.org/

Events > 33rd FEBS Congress & 11th IUBMB Conference on Biochemistry of Cell Regulation

33rd FEBS Congress & 11th IUBMB Conference on Biochemistry of Cell Regulation

28 June - 3 July 2008

Symposia & Topics:

More information is available at the conference website: http://www.febs-iubmb-2008.org/

Events > Bioprocess Engineering Course

Bioprocess Engineering Course

14-19 September 2008

The course covers the full spectrum of bioprocess engineering, starting from genetic concepts for micro-organisms used to produce pharmaceutical and other products via microbial physiology, bioreaction kinetics to bioreactor design and scale-up. The organisms considered range from simple bacteria to highly specialised animal cell cultures. There is also a strong coverage of measurement, control and optimisation and how they interact with each other and with the specific bioreaction of interest. Finally, there is a broad-brush coverage of downstream processing. The lectures are supplemented by computer-based (MATLAB) exercises (no previous experience of MATLAB is required), discussions and a Case Study and participants are also encouraged to bring posters of their work. Selected candidates will be invited to make short oral presentations (of approximately 5 minutes duration), at a ‘Speakers’ Corner’, to be held during the course. Finally, there is a strong social programme, specifically designed to ensure that there are many opportunities to discuss the course with the lecturers.

The course is directed specifically at Ph.D. students and experienced biotechnologists from research institutes, universities and industry. Participants are expected to have a background in chemical/biochemical engineering, biotechnology, a biological science or a related discipline. The lecturers are all acknowledged specialists in their fields, so that the course also provides a forum for highlighting recent research in relevant areas.

Please visit the conference website http://www.hdb.hr/bec2008.html for additional information.

Events > International Symposium on Preparative and Industrial Chromatography & Allied Techniques SPICA 2008

International Symposium on Preparative and Industrial Chromatography & Allied Techniques SPICA 2008

29 September - 01 October 2008

SPICA 2008 covers various technologies including membranes, crystallization, filtration and extraction, with particular emphasis on chromatography. The considered topics range from modelling activities, to the development of preparative and large scale separation and purification processes and the assessment of new technologies or the combination of existing ones at the industrial scale. The focus will be both on small molecules as well as on large molecules, such as those of current interest in the development of new drugs, e.g. polypeptides and therapeutic proteins.

For everyone, chemists, engineers and biotechnologists involved with requirements on purity, yield and productivity this symposium will provide an ideal source of new ideas and of opportunity to interact with colleagues from both academia and industry.

Please visit the conference website http://www.spica2008.ethz.ch/index.html for getting all the relevant information.

Events > 5th EFB Meeting on Recombinant Protein Production

5th EFB Meeting on Recombinant Protein Production

24-28 September 2008

As in previous meetings, the 5th EFB Meeting on Recombinant Protein Production will focus on how physiology impacts upon recombinant protein production in all types of cell: bacteria; mammalian cell culture; yeasts and filamentous fungi; plant and insect cell lines as well as from viral vectors.

The location of the venue is fantastic: a nice hotel on the seashore in one of the most beautiful parts of the Italian Island of Sardinia. Early registration will be essential to avoid disappointment as the number of registrants will be strictly limited by the number of hotel rooms available and the capacity of the lecture hall, which is located 5 minutes away from the hotel.

The programme has been detailed, speakers are currently being invited, and registration will be opened soon. Potential participants are advised to check the website frequently http://www.ing.univpm.it/rpp2008/

Events > 4th International Conference on Analysis of Microbial Cells at the Single Cell Level

4th International Conference on Analysis of Microbial Cells at the Single Cell Level

23-24 May 2008

The “Analysis of microbial cells at the single cell level III” will include a variety of oral and poster sessions including the following themes:

Details of the programme, invited speakers, registration and call for abstracts are available on http://qbab.dbs.aber.ac.uk/sc2008/

Events > 2008 BIO International Convention

2008 BIO International Convention

17-20 June 2008

The BIO International Conventionis the global event for biotechnology that hosts more than 175 sessions, an exhibition with more than 2,200 companies and 60 pavilions and a business forum with 12,000 one-on-one partnering sessions. With more than 60 countries represented, the attendees are a blend of international and domestic executives and management from research, business, and academic and investment communities.

The event works toward expanding the biotech innovations that help heal fuel and feed the world.

Registration is open - review your options and register at http://www.bio2008.org/register

For for Booking Housing and Planning Travel, please go to http://www.bio2008.org/housingtravel

Events > The Future of Sutures - International Competition

The Future of Sutures - International Competition

The Future of Sutures competition addresses individuals and teams from all areas of medical surgery, research and development, and creative minds generally, in approximately 30 countries. Entries can be submitted across the broad themes “Natural Science and Technology”, “Medicine and Usability” as well as “Form and Function”. The notion is to stimulate a look beyond one’s own backyard and for new approaches never thought of. “Already in 1908, Carl Braun had benefited from the close co-operation with the surgeon Dr. Franz Kuhn”, Prof. Ungethüm noted: “And today our corporation is still working along the same lines by partnering with the users for joint development of new products. We expect the competition to add a fresh impetus to the scientific community with coining impact on the future of sutures.”

Drafts of ideas can be submitted only online by February 29, 2008 at www.sutures-bbraun.com/. Entries accepted for the contest must be elaborated by the end of June, 2008 and again submitted online. The national winners will be announced on September 15, 2008. They automatically qualify for the international stage. The overall winner of The Future of Sutures will be announced on December 5, 2008 during an awards ceremony at Langenbeck-Virchow-Haus in Berlin. The winner will receive a prize money of 100,000 euros; the second and third placed will be awarded 50,000 and 25,000 euros respectively.

Competition Timeline At a Glance
Sept 12, 2007 – Feb 29, 2008: Registration phase
By March 31, 2008: Initial review, evaluation and admission
April 1 – June 30, 2008: Processing phase
July 1 – Sept 15, 2008: National judging
Sept 15, 2008: Announcement of the national winners
Sept 15, 2008 – Dec 5, 2008: International judging
Dec 5, 2008: Announcement of international prize winners and awards ceremony LVH Haus in Berlin

All details concerning The Future of Sutures are available at www.sutures-bbraun.com/

For further questions about the competition or about B. Braun Melsungen AG and its products, please e-mail info@sutures-bbraun.com

Events > 4th European Bioremediation Conference

4th European Bioremediation Conference

3-6 September 2008

The 4th European Bioremediation Conference, is organized by the Technical University of Crete, the University of Bologna and the University of Sheffield. The conference is aiming to bring together scientists, engineers and other environmental professionals to present their findings and discuss future trends, directions and new challenges for the restoration of contaminated sites and marine environments.

The presentations are expected to focus on the technological advances of bioremediation treatment processes for all types of media (air, soil, sediment, surface water, groundwater and industrial wastewater) contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons, chlorinated and other recalcitrant compounds, as well as on techniques for the microbiological, genetic and ecotoxicological monitoring of such processes. Innovative and low cost solutions through an integrated technological approach are also invited.

More information is available at the conference website:  http://www.bioremediation.enveng.tuc.gr

Events > 13th International Biotechnology Symposium (IBS) 2008

13th International Biotechnology Symposium (IBS) 2008

12-17 October 2008

The 13th International Biotechnology Symposium (IBS) will be convened in the beautiful harbor city of Dalian, China from October 12th to the 17th, 2008. The concurrent Exhibition will provide opportunities to the participants to learn of the latest developments in biotechnologies, bio-products, and instruments, as well as a platform to foster collaborations.

The IBS has been held every four years since 1960. It has become the premier international conference in the rapidly-growing field of biotechnology. The theme of the upcoming IBS is “Biotechnology for the Sustainability of Human Society”.

You are welcome to pre-register at the website: loc@ibs2008.org

EFB Home > Interview with Dr. Eduardo Trigo

Interview with Dr. Eduardo Trigo

Dr. Eduardo Trigo, Director of Grupo CEO, a consulting firm specializing in agricultural organization and technology policy issues, and Scientific Adviser to the International Directorate of the Secretariat for Science, Technology and Innovation of the Argentine Government

“Since the introduction of the new soybean technology, Argentina has more than doubled its grain and oilseed production”

01/03/2007

Dr. Eduardo Trigo is author of the report “Ten Years of Genetically Modified Crops in Argentine Agriculture”, a study that draws attention to the effect that GM crops have had in Argentine Agriculture during the past decade and how this new technology has transformed the country’s agricultural sector and economy. The study has been financed by the Argentine Council for Information and Development of Biotechnology, a non-profit organization whose mission is to make available information on biotechnology, contributing to its understanding through education and promoting its development.

EFB: Dr. Trigo, what is the background to the report “Ten Years of Genetically Modified Crops in Argentine Agriculture” and why did you decide to carry it out?  Where there specific issues you wanted to draw attention to or was this intended to highlight the overall experiences and lessons of 10 years of GM crops in Argentina?
Dr. Eduardo Trigo: “The report is intended to document the Argentinean experience with this type of technology. Back in 2002, we published a similar report looking into the initial five years since the introduction and we already found signs of a very powerful process that was starting to reshape the country’s agriculture. We thought that a decade was a long enough period to look at established trends and we also wanted to highlight what were the drivers shaping this process, particularly as a basis for domestic policy-making. The “soybean era” is gradually reaching its ceiling – land for further expansion is becoming a limiting factor, etc. – and we think that for the country to continue to benefit from the new technologies there is the need for a renewed policy effort and we also wanted to provide support for that process.”

EFB: What have been the most significant impacts in Argentine agriculture after the introduction of genetically modified crops 10 years ago?
ET: “Since the introduction of the new soybean technology, Argentina has more than doubled its grain and oilseed production and it has not only been soybeans; maize has also increased and so have other activities such as beef and dairy. In economic terms, that has amounted to about USD 20 billion in cumulative terms. That in itself is quite impressive but the indirect benefits on employment and other variables should also be taken into account.”

EFB: What has been the overall economic impact on Argentina?
ET: “A conservative estimate, included in the paper, sets global impact at around USD 40 billion and the total number of jobs created at 1 million (over the ten year period under analysis). Regarding the importance of the latter figure, one has to consider that this increase took place during a period when the Argentine labour market went through one of its worst crises, with unemployment going from one digit figures to 23% (only this past month it has gone back to one digit again).”

EFB: What lessons are there for other countries, both developed and developing?
ET: “When tackling this particular issue, one has to be careful. Although Argentina is a developing country, its agricultural sector resembles more that of the developed countries, both in product mix as well as farm structure, and this has been a critical issue in the success of this story. The country foresaw the potential of the new technologies and undertook the necessary policy measures for gaining access to them, but it is also true that the technologies were a perfect fit for the country’s agroecological conditions. Beyond that, one has to highlight a number of issues. First, that of readiness.  By the time the first GM varieties became available, the regulatory system was already in place, and most importantly there existed a suitable germplasm base to which the new genes could be attached, otherwise diffusion would have been highly unlikely. This latter aspect is a key but frequently overlooked aspect in the success of biotechnological innovations. Biotechnological innovations are not a substitute for conventional breeding, on the contrary they go hand-in-hand as farmers would not buy seeds that are not well suited to their particular agro-ecological conditions and for that you need breeding programs and a seed industry that is able to deliver the innovations to the farms. Argentina had all that already in place and any other country that wants to benefit from these technologies – as well from non-GMO biotech, such as marker assisted selections, etc. – needs to have it as well.”
A second point to make is that of the existence a thorough policy oversight along the process so that commercial releases are granted only after considering their possible market implications. In hindsight this may have been less important than thought at the time, but nevertheless it was an element that certainly contributed to building confidence in the technology with the country’s stakeholders.

EFB: What can neighbouring countries learn from the Argentine example?
ET: “The lesson to be learned is: The sooner, the better. In the case of Brazil, it has become evident that due to delays in the decision-making process, farmers were not able to make use of the full potential of these technologies.”

EFB: According to the study, Argentina ranks second place, behind the US, in total planted area with GM crops. What are the main reasons of this swift growth?
ET: “Essentially, the fact that the products available during this first cycle of the technology, as I already mentioned, were a perfect fit with the profile of our agricultural sector and the other set of conditions – policies, international markets, etc. – came together and made it feasible for the country to take full advantage of this situation.”

EFB: How are farmers responding to this new technology and how is the government supporting it?
ET: “Farmers have been key players and the government provided the appropriate regulatory tools and was always supportive in terms of sending the signal that it was going do the right things in terms of assuring market access: “managing” commercial releases so as to not to put at risk access to our main export market – the EU – in the case of corn, siding with the USA in the WTO panel demand, etc.”

EFB: Can you comment on the general public perception of biotechnology in Argentina and agricultural biotechnology and GM crops specifically?
We do not have specific surveys to quote, but all available evidence suggests that for Argentine consumers this is a non-issue, and the farmers’ behaviour in terms of adoption speaks for itself.

What message would you like to leave with members of the European Federation of Biotechnology as they read the report?
ET: “That their continued support for a more proactive Europe in the development of the new technologies is the right position and it will become even more important as biotechnology moves beyond GMOs. The Argentine story is a powerful one, showing quite clearly the potential of the new technologies; not only for improving the country’s economic and social conditions, but also in terms of what they could contribute globally to produce the food the world will need in the coming years. It is also a safe technology and under the right conditions – as the ones existing in Argentina at the time, because of the interphase with no-till practices – a win-win situation in terms of its environmental and economic impacts. However, this experience is not easy to extrapolate to other conditions, because of the particular nature of Argentine agriculture and also because of the fact that most of today’s advances are present in crops suited for temperate environments, which are the basis of international commodities trade. There is very little done for the semi-tropical / tropical and small farmers’ conditions, which accounts for the largest share of the world’s poorer farmers. This is the next frontier and it could become the most relevant source of biotech’s social and environmental benefits. But for that to occur, greater involvement of the research capacities of regions such as Europe will be needed and in this the EFB has a key role to play.”

Sections & Workgroups > Section on Green Biotechnology

Section on Green Biotechnology

For further information about the Section on Green Biotechnology, please contact the Section Chairman:

Prof. Marc Zabeau
Department of Plant Systems Biology
VIB / Gent University
Tel. 32 (0) 475 32 97 53
Fax: 32(0) 9 331 3809
Technologiepark 927, B-9052 Gent, Belgium

EFB Home > News Room/Contact

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EFB Home > EAGLES address members of the European Parliament

EAGLES address members of the European Parliament

EAGLES address members of the European Parliament

European Action on Global Life Sciences (EAGLES) is an initiative of the European Federation of Biotechnology supported by the European Commission.

Brussels, 11/10/2006 – On October 11, the European Action on Global Life Sciences (EAGLES) organised a dinner debate in Brussels with about 40 participants from the European Parliament, the European Commission and EAGLES. The background for the meeting was the lack of clear dedication and focus in the 7th Framework Programme on the great humanitarian challenges of hunger, illness and environmental degradation which plague the developing countries.

A better dialogue is needed, and EAGLES –an initiative of the European Federation of Biotechnology supported by the European Commission- is a platform for achieving this dialogue between scientists from the developing countries and European politicians, policy makers, members of the media and other leaders of public opinion. The meeting was initiated by MEP Britta Thomsen, who also introduced the three speakers and chaired the discussion. 

EAGLES Chair Dr. Ismail Serageldin, Director of the Library of Alexandria, gave an enlightening vision of the role of research in the fight against poverty, fundamentalism and isolationism, backed by a historical review of the trends in life sciences over the last 50 years. As an example on how important research and know-how can be, he mentioned India which in the early 1960s was deemed by many economists and development experts not to be able to feed its population of then less than 300 million people. Today the size of the Indian population has increased three times and India is a major food exporter in Asia. Dr. Serageldin suggested that knowledge was a key factor in development and knowledge should be considered a global public good – a human right. With knowledge, research and education we can abolish hunger and poverty related disease and Europe has an obligation to share its knowledge with the developing world.

EAGLES Co-Vice Chairman Prof. Huanming Yang, Director of the Beijing Genome Institute, who contributed to the Human Genome Project and led the Chinese rice genome initiative, referred to his own early experience with European scientists in Denmark where he spent several years pursuing his PhD.  He advocated for assistance to emerging and developing countries not in the form of food aid, but by supporting knowledge and technology generation. He underscored that all life sciences are related, and that life sciences are, literally speaking, vital for the future and stability of the
world. Trust built on research collaboration is the key which will also lead to mutual benefits. He advised Europe to place much more emphasis on its status as a continent of many countries in harmony, and as a society built on knowledge and partnership. 

World Health representative Dr. Gojka Roglic was the last speaker. Her presentation was a follow up from the recent EAGLES Symposium in Alexandria (April 2006), on the emerging epidemics of diabetes and other chronic diseases in the developing world. Dr. Roglic demonstrated that diabetes is exploding in the developing world, and she went through the ten most common misconceptions about diabetes and its complications: Diabetes is not a disease of the wealthy - 80% is in the low or middle income countries.  It mainly affects poor people.  It is not a disease of the old.  It affects men and women equally. It is not only a problem of choice of life style. It can be prevented, and prevention does not need to be expensive.  You have to die from something, but it does not have to be premature after a slow, painful and chronic disease like diabetes.

After each presentation and during the final debate a number of prominent MEP’s and officers from the European Commission commented on the presentations and discussed the main issue: that the draft of the European Commission’s 7th Framework Programme (FP7) is not taking sufficient account of the problems of the developing world and there lacks a dedicated programme or framework for collaboration with the developing world. The final discussion had a very positive atmosphere with many interventions from parliamentarians who are playing a key role in the development of the research budget of FP7. 

It was suggested by EAGLES that there should be a 5% budget target for research relevant to the developing world. MEP Theresa Riera had already suggested a target in the Parliament but did not get sufficient support. 

If the Commission developed a mechanism in FP7 for measuring research and research training and collaboration with the developing world this mechanism could give an important indication on how the coming policy of “open collaboration but no dedicated budget would go”. Such an indicator could be important for the decision makers and could be used for putting more focus on the development issue. 

A hearing in the Parliament or a Parliament Global Science Day, which would focus attention on the role of European science in the developing world, was suggested.  Both MEP’s and members of the European Commission asked for more active debate and more lobby activities on this issue organised
by the research community.

EAGLES Co-Vice Chairman Prof. David McConnell summed up the meeting and promised to follow up on the different comments and suggestions. Britta Thomsen thanked the participants for a very fruitful debate.

For additional information about EAGLES, please contact:
Jens Degett, Executive Director of EAGLES
jdegett@jubii.dk
Hernani 68, 6B
28020 Madrid, Spain
Tel.: +34 91 220 3157
Skype Name: jensdegett
EAGLES Website: http://www.efb-central.org/eagles/

EFB Home > News Room/In the News

News Room/In the News

EFB Home > News Room/Executive Biographies

News Room/Executive Biographies

EFB Home > News Room/Press Releases

News Room/Press Releases

Welcome to the EFB News Room. Here you will find detailed information about the Federation, executive biographies, news releases, media contacts, and other media-related content.

EFB Home > Interview: Prof. Dr. Rainer Fischer

Interview: Prof. Dr. Rainer Fischer

“It would be very scary if the younger generation doesn’t pursue science careers, as that would mean that we won’t have enough educated scientists to deal with emerging scientific issues in the future”

Prof. Dr. Rainer Fischer
Department Head of the Institute for Molecular Biotechnology (RWTH Aachen, Germany)
Senior Executive Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology

01/10/2006

In 1986, Dr. Rainer Fischer succeeded in making genetically modified tobacco plants that were capable of producing antibodies to protect themselves against viruses. Today, he uses transgenic plants to produce recombinant proteins, which have the potential to provide efficient pharmaceutical products at more affordable costs. Prof. Fischer serves as reviewer for multiple national and international grant agencies, including the National Science Foundation and the European Commission.
EFB: What is needed in Europe to speed up further development of transgenic technologies?
Prof. Dr. Rainer Fischer: “The entire educational programme should be changed in order to get people more interested and aware of what is needed for future market and product development. It should start in elementary school all the way through high school and the university. Students should be taught the benefits of being in this field and the potential of transgenic technologies to make them want to take challenges for making positive contributions to society and the environment. There’s a tendency to shift to medical professions, law or business oriented jobs because of a perception that the salaries may be potentially higher and the working hours may be better. Science can be a frustrating job because 95% of all the science you do is not successful. Overcoming this frustration barrier and teaching people to cope with that and still being positive and really making an impact on society takes a lot of energy, money, and motivation; and that is something very difficult to change. In order to have a friendlier environment to encourage people to move in this field, institutions like the European Commission and the National Governments should take a more active role by implementing novel educational programs directed to students, professors and researchers at the universities as well as to other scientific organisations and start-up biotech companies.”

EFB: Is the younger generation of Europeans losing their interest to pursue science careers?
R.F.: “I’m afraid so, and that is very scary when you think about the present and the future needs of our society. New issues and challenges will emerge in ten to twenty years that we cannot even imagine. It would be very scary if the younger generation doesn’t pursue science careers, as that would mean that we won’t have enough educated scientists to deal with emerging issues in the future. I hope that the interest in the Life Sciences increases among young students and that they look more to these as a positive asset and a future growth potential to their careers. Governments can implement educational programmes and increase the funding, but it’s not just up to politicians to motivate the younger generation. Scientists also need to assume their part of responsibility. A major interaction between scientists, the public, and the politicians is truly needed, and it should not stop in meetings and discussions. The ideas need to be implemented, and I think that’s the biggest problem we have in Europe: too much talking, not enough action.”