Dolly creator debates the impact of his work
Released: 17 August 2009
ESRC Genomics Forum Press Release - Embargoed 00:00 Tuesday 18 August 2009
Sir Ian Wilmut joins entrepreneur Simon Best and international research scientist Christine Mummery - who recently led the team which cloned the first human heart from stem cells - for a public panel discussion of the latest successes, failures, and new prospects for the science and industry that famously produced the first clone from an adult animal, Dolly the sheep.
‘From Darwin to Dolly and Beyond’, is part of the Festival of Politics and is organised by the ESRC Genomics Forum, based at the University of Edinburgh, in association with the British Council and BioIndustry Association, Scotland.
Speakers are:
Professor Sir Ian Wilmut, Director of the Centre for Regenerative Medicine at the University of Edinburgh
Professor Simon Best, Vice-Chairman of the UK India Business Council (UKIBC) and a Non-Executive Director of Polytherics Ltd. and Entelos Inc
Professor Christine Mummery, Professor of Developmental Biology and Head of the Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Centre
Professor Nigel Brown (Chair), Vice-Principal and Head of the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Edinburgh
Discussion topics include:
How the life sciences, particularly in Scotland, have moved on since Dolly, and the industry’s latest successes, failures, and new prospects
Setting up biotech businesses in Scotland
How industry interacts with academia to decide which subjects are worth commercial exploitation and the future for close academic-industrial links in Scotland
Is research conducted and supported differently in other countries and what difference does that make?
Professor Steve Yearley, Director of the ESRC Genomics Forum commented, “Dolly was a world first and a graphic example of the vibrancy of the life sciences in Scotland. This event provides us with an excellent opportunity to look at how science, industry and public attitudes have developed in the decade after devolution and to learn from experiences in other European nations’.
Paul Docherty, Director British Council Scotland said, "Scotland has the highest number of research papers published per head of population than anywhere in the world and its contribution to pioneering science positions it as a nation of leading thought. By comparing the experiences of researchers in Scotland and overseas this event aims to see how Scotland’s life science research and industry may progress in the coming years and how Government can facilitate this. From Darwin to Dolly and Beyond! will showcase some of this knowledge but also show us where we can learn more from best practice in other countries.”
"The current challenges of the economic climate notwithstanding, collaboration will be a key driver for success for Scotland's life sciences sector for the future. BIA Scotland as the trade association for the bioscience sector, is working with Government in Edinburgh and London to ensure that the business environment is continually improved to allow Scotland to capitalise on the wealth of future opportunities." Dr Sarah Goulding, Acting Director of BIA Scotland, added.
The event will be held at 3-4pm on 18 August in the Scottish Parliament’s Committee Room 1. Tickets are FREE but must be reserved in advance from Holyrood or the Hub www.hubtickets.co.uk/load_screen.asp?screen=contacts
Ends
For further details contact: Emma-Elizabeth Capewell 0131 651 4746/ emma.capewell@ed.ac.uk
Speakers' biographical notes are available on request
Contact name: Emma-Elizabeth Capewell 0131 651 4746/ emma.capewell@ed.ac.uk
Note to Editors:
ESRC Genomics Policy and Research Forum
Established in August 2004, the ESRC Genomics Policy and Research Forum is a novel initiative in the field of social science research. As part of the ESRC Genomics Network (EGN), the Forum acts to integrate the diverse strands of social science research within and beyond the EGN; to develop links between social scientists and scientists working across the entire range of genomic science and technology; and to connect research in this area to policy makers, business, the media and civil society in the UK and abroad For more information see www.genomicsnetwork.ac.uk/forum
The British Council
The British Council works in 110 countries and territories worldwide to build intercultural understanding between the UK and other countries through the arts, education and training, science and technology, sport, good governance and human rights. Our income in 2006/07 was £551m, of which grant-in-aid from the British government was £195m. For more information see www.britishcouncil.org/scotland
BioIndustry Association
Established in 1989, the BIA (BioIndustry Association) exists to encourage and promote a financially sound and thriving bioscience sector within the UK economy and concentrates its efforts on emerging enterprise and the related interests of companies with whom such enterprise trades. With over 300 members, the BIA supports a wide range of sectors, majoring on the human health benefits of the technology and represents the interests of these innovative companies to a broad section of stakeholders from patient groups to politicians, advancing its members interests both within the UK and internationally to create a healthy UK bioscience sector which benefits society. The BIA Scotland supports the over 60 members in Scotland by representing their interests to the Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament and by providing high quality knowledge and business services and encouraging investment. For further information, please go to: www.bioindustry.org
The Scottish Parliament/Festival of Politics Tuesday 18 - Saturday 22 August
For further information, please go to: www.festivalofpolitics.org.uk
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