Improving the human? New poetry competition for 2010

Released: 19 August 2010

Does the quest to identify genes responsible for disease and death mask a more sinister lack of empathy for the imperfect?  Will discoveries lead to a genetic divide between rich and poor? Do we even want to live for ever?

The ESRC Genomics Forum, based at the University of Edinburgh, is hoping these questions can stimulate some poetic answers for its brand new poetry competition launched today (Thursday 19 August 2010) in partnership with the Scottish Poetry Library.

This free to enter competition invites writers to consider the implications for society of genetic technologies - more specifically what part these discoveries and new technologies could play in 'improving the human'.

The competition's first prize is £500, with runners up receiving £200 for 2nd place and £100 for 3rd place.

Pippa Goldschmidt, Competition Coordinator and Writer in Residence at the Genomics Forum, stated,

"In 1917's Heredity, Thomas Hardy used genetics - or germ plasm theory as it was then - as inspiration for his writing, also recognising the power of poetry in exploring cutting edge scientific development. I hope that today's poets are similarly stimulated by recent genetic discoveries into considering broader questions about 'improving the human'."

Peggy Hughes, Competition Judge and Communications Officer at the Scottish Poetry Library added,

"We're delighted to be strengthening our links with the ESRC Genomics Forum by working together on this new poetry competition, and excited about the submissions such a fascinating topic could attract."

Competition poems should be no more than 50 lines and should not have been published or accepted for publication elsewhere. The deadline for entries is 7 October 2010 (National Poetry Day). The judging panel comprises: Gwyneth Lewis (Welsh National Poet 2005-06), Peggy Hughes of the Scottish Poetry Library and Professor Steve Yearley, Director of the ESRC Genomics Forum.

Further competition information including submission details is available at:www.genomicsnetwork.ac.uk/forum

Ends

Pippa Goldschmidt (Genomics Forum) and Peggy Hughes (Scottish Poetry Library) are available for interview, please contact:

Emma Capewell on 0131 651 4746/ emma.capewell@ed.ac.uk

Emma Capewell on 0131 651 4746/ emma.capewell@ed.ac.uk

Note to Editors:

The ESRC Genomics Forum - www.genomicsnetwork.ac.uk/forum

Based at University of Edinburgh, the Forum pioneers new ways to promote and communicate social research on contemporary life science and ensures that research from the ESRC Genomics Network (EGN) informs policy, scientific practice and public debate. The EGN is a £25 million investment by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) dedicated to examining the development and use of the science and technologies of genomics. The activities of the EGN include the whole field of genomics, covering areas as diverse as DNA profiling and identity politics, plant and animal genetics, personal genomics, embryonic stem cell research, and synthetic biology.  

The EGN spans five of the UK's leading universities, and involves over a hundred researchers, from professors to PhD students, as well as an international cast of visiting research fellows. It is one of the biggest social science investments in the ESRC's current portfolio, and has grown into the largest concentration for the social scientific research on genomics in the world.

The Scottish Poetry Library - www.spl.org.uk

The Scottish Poetry Library was founded in 1984 and has been housed in the current purpose-built award-winning premises since 1999. Tucked away down Crichton's Close, at the Parliament end of the Royal Mile, the Scottish Poetry Library aims to strengthen the presence and profile of Scottish poetry within Scotland and overseas and promote the writing, reading and appreciation of poetry as an integral part of personal and community life. With 40,000 items of poetry, both lending and reference, mainly Scottish and contemporary but with a range of other languages and other centuries, a wide selection of literary journals, CDs, videos, Braille collections, a lively web presence, as well as a vibrant events and education programme, we're bringing people and poetry together on a daily basis, both in person and online.