by Andrew Maynard | Mar 2, 2009 | Emerging Technology, Nanotechnology, Oversight
Ten years ago to the month, one of the first research reports detailing the challenges of ensuring the safe use of engineered nanomaterials was delivered to the UK Health and Safety Executive. The report wasn’t for general release, and you’ll be hard pressed to find...
by Andrew Maynard | Feb 23, 2009 | Civic Science, Policy
It’s barely a month since Obama promised to “restore science to its rightful place” and already there has been widespread discussion over what this rightful place might be—spurred on in no small part by science and technology provisions in the recently passed stimulus...
by Andrew Maynard | Feb 16, 2009 | Engagement, Public Perception
If you want to annoy a scientist, show them a movie that gets the little details wrong—like the fact that sound doesn’t travel in a vacuum, or biologists always have a box of Kim Wipes within arms-reach. If you want to annoy anyone else, put them in the same room with...
by Andrew Maynard | Feb 11, 2009 | Emerging Technology, Religion, Synthetic Biology
Charles Darwin has a lot to answer for. He saw the world with new eyes, fundamentally changed our understanding of nature, and upset a lot of people in the process. 200 years after his birth, Darwin’s work underpins modern biology. His findings still challenge,...
by Andrew Maynard | Feb 5, 2009 | Civic Science, Engagement
I’ve been sitting here for over half an hour, trying to work out how to start this blog in an engaging and witty way, but have failed miserably—it’s been a long day! Instead, let me come straight to the point, because it’s quite a simple one—please read Sir Robert...
