Biotechnology: the good, the bad and the deadly
The life sciences provide a great opportunity to improve our lives. But our newfound power in this field also gives us the means to destroy ourselves.
Opinion: The Conversation, 15 May 2011
TechNyou
Attention teachers: In relation to your students discussing topics related to science in society and critical thinking about how science is used, this article highlights some the issues facing all applications of scientific knowledge and the ethical issues associated with them. Namely, it is not the science or knowledge that is of concern (generally), but how society chooses to use or apply that scientific knowledge. One could argue this has been the case throughout human history, since we realised a sharpened stick could be useful in catching and killing animals to more effectively feed your family, or defend yourself against the animals wanting to eat you. Alternatively, the same stick could be picked up and used by your neighbouring humans to kill you and run off with your wife.
Reprogrammed stem cells trigger immune reactions
Reprogrammed stem cells—cells taken from an adult and turned back into stem cells – can be rejected by the body, at least in mice
Discover Magazine – 80 beats
The above article is missing some context, eg that the research done in mice does not mimic the clinical situation that would be used for humans, and that it has posed more research questions than it answers. And, although it seems to suggest that we need to be cautious in our journey to the clinic for these cells, known as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), the potential use for these cells is still strong.
See Nature News: 13 May 2011
Thought for food
The challenges of food security and sustainability require a level-headed consideration of both new technologies and age-old practices.
Uni Melbourne Voice: May-June 2011
TechNyou
This is a nice addition to yesterdays post on the Food Summit and further relevant discussion to our forthcoming National Science Week event on food security and whether GM crops should have a role
Scientists generate liver cells from skin
Chinese scientists have found a way to restore damaged livers using adult skin stem cells.
ABC News: 12 May 2011
And now for some perspective from Nature News. I noticed the ABC article didn’t mention that the technique is a long way from the clinic and that technique involved switching off a gene in the adult cells that protect against cancer, which for human use would require some re-thinking. the interesting thing though is that it doesn’t involve turning the adult cells back into stem cells first. This step seems to have been by-passed.
Nature News: 11 May 2011
Human lung stem cell discovered
Research has identified a human lung stem cell that can self-renew and form multiple biological structures of the lung.
Eurekalert: 11 May 2011
Food security: greatest challenge of our time?
By Jason Major
TechNyou
How will we feed ourselves in 30 years time? “Make no mistake, this is the greatest challenge of our time,” Julian Cribb told the National Sustainable Food Summit in Melbourne earlier this year.
The Summit report, video presentation of the speakers and commentary is now available from the 3 Pillars web site. There are some challenging and confronting statements made. I was there and the constant theme being driven home by all the speakers was that the existing system of food production, distribution and consumption was unsustainable. To feed ourselves in the future will require a radical overhaul, a complete re-think on how we produce, distribute and consume food. Some of this change will come from increasing scientific knowledge and new technologies; much of the change, however, will be cultural, political, economic and social.
For example, Australians throw away $1.1 billion worth of fresh fruit and vegetables every year. Reducing waste would have a huge effect on our ability to feed ourselves.
Quotes from speakers will give you a flavour of the Summit:
“The urgent need to give priority attention to food production, whilst maintaining the quality of the resource base from which it is produced, is perhaps one of the greatest scientific challenges ahead and certainly one that has apparently slipped from our gaze.” Dr John Williams, Commissioner, Natural Resources Commission, NSW and Founding Member, Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists
“This is the size of the challenge facing the coming generation of farmers. It is to double the global food supply using half the water, on far less land and with increasingly depleted soils, without fossil fuels, with scarce and costly fertiliser and chemicals, amid spreading diseases and pests, under the hammer of climate change.” Prof. Julian Cribb. Julian Cribb and Associates.
For as long as the cost of maintaining and improving the natural resource base in agricultural systems is not included in the price of food, farmers will never be able to farm sustainably and profitably.” John Williams, Commissioner, Natural Resources Commission, NSW and Founding Member the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists.
In other words we should expect that we will pay more for our food.
Our intentionality shapes our systems. How would the food system be different if we approached it from the viewpoint of abundance and cooperation, rather than competition and scarcity?” Richard Hames, Distinguished Professor and Director, Asian Foresight Institute
Hot topics
The report contains a list of hot topics for further discussion – likely part of next year’s summit. It was interesting that two of the topics were What role does genetically modified food have to play in the current and future system? This is exactly the topic of our forum that Technyou is running in collaboration with the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics in National Science Week. Stayed tuned for more details, but it will be held on 10 August somewhere in Melbourne.
Other hot topics included:
What role do biofuels play in a climate of food scarcity?
What role will organic farming play in the new food system?
To what extent should the externalities of food production – the environmental and social cost – be factored?
Recommendations
There were loads of these, but one other theme running through the conference was how disconnected we have become with the land. There was a call for a mandatory inclusion of food and nutrition in school curriculum and food literacy at all levels of education.
Will this mean we will have to endure more junior Master Chef on TV?
Video presentations
There many available for download. Two that I would recommend are Julian Cribb and Robin Batterham
Robin Batterham – What does food security actually mean and why is it important to Australia? from 3PillarsNetwork on Vimeo.
Julian Cribb – What are the future challenges to our food system? from 3PillarsNetwork on Vimeo.
Nature may make its own silver nanoparticles
New research suggests that, given a source of silver ions, naturally occurring humic acid will synthesize stable silver nanoparticles.
National Institute of Standards and Technology: 10 May 2011
Image:
Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image of silver nanoparticles formed from silver ions in solution with humic acid. The acid tends to coat the nano particles (visible here as a pale cloud), keeping them in a colloidal suspension instead of clumping together. (Color added for clarity.)
Credit: SUNY, Buffalo
New way to capture CO2
An Australian collaboration will explore how smart materials can capture and concentrate CO2 with minimum energy requirements.
University of Sydney: 10 May 2011
Scandal-hit stem cell clinic closes
Europe’s largest stem cell clinic, which is at the centre of a scandal over the death of a baby given an injection into the brain, has shut.
Sydney Morning Herald: 9 May 2011
TechNyou
Who wants to live forever?
Will it ever be possible for humans to live forever? Some people think so.
Prof Brian Morris , The Conversation: 9 May 2011
TechNyou
We have posted a coup0le of blogs on this topic – see Extending life: how long do we want to live?