Are we ready for synthetic biology?
March 25, 2009A new report looks at the challenges of regulating first generation products of synthetic biology. At the J. Craig Venter Institute, scientists are on the verge of creating a living organism from “dead” chemicals, by rebooting a microbe with a new—and completely artificially constructed—genome. At the University of California Berkeley, researchers are ...
Inspiring the next generation of technologists
March 24, 2009An interview with Dr. Kristen Kulinowski, Director of the International Council On Nanotechnology Today is Ada Lovelace Day—a day when people around the world are drawing attention to women who excel in technology. Some weeks back I pledged, along with many others (Over 1500 at last count), to blog about one ...
Blogging the demise of science journalism
March 20, 2009This week’s edition of Nature includes a thought provoking piece by Geoff Brumfiel on the decline of mainstream science journalism and the rise of science blogging. The big question: Can one replace the other? It’s a sobering read: Blumfiel paints a picture of old media in crisis—science coverage in the ...
Science, technology and the three “C’s:” Communication, Coupling and Control
March 19, 2009Part 1 of a series on rethinking science and technology for the 21st century We live in a crowded, science and technology-dependent word. And things aren’t getting any better! The global population is currently around 6.8 billion. Over the next four years it’s projected to grow to over 7 billion. And ...
Working safely with carbon nanotubes
March 17, 2009So you want to make or use carbon nanotubes, but you are worried about handling then safely. What do you do? The good news is that the UK Health and Safety Executive has just published an information sheet that addresses just this question. Risk management of carbon nanotubes is (according ...
Rethinking science and technology for the 21st century
March 13, 2009Like it or not, society is dependent on science and technology. The only way we can cram 6 billion people plus onto the earth and use resources at the rate we do, is through the support of scientific discovery and technology innovation. Take our technology-based infrastructure away and civilization as ...
Deconstructing the “Fry Event Horizon”
March 6, 2009Deconstructing the “Fry Event Horizon”
Nanotechnology risk research, ten years on
March 2, 2009Ten 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 a copy of it in ...
Science, society and the Second Enlightenment
February 23, 2009It’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 bill. Not surprisingly, the role science should ...
In space, no one can hear you scream – unless you’re in a sci-flick!
February 16, 2009If 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 ...
Darwin, evolution, and the genesis of intelligent design
February 11, 2009Charles 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, stimulate and—amazingly—offend people the world over. ...
Thank goodness for Sir Robert
February 5, 2009I’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 Winston’s ...
Managing the small stuff – a visual nanotechnology primer
February 2, 2009Nanotechnology: What is it, what can it do, what are the downsides, and how can we ensure it reaches its full potential? http://www.youtube.com/v/JOAZwv6UJz4 Managing the Small Stuff. Also available in High Definition on Vimeo The promise and challenges of nanotechnology is something I lecture on a lot. And when I do, I’m inevitably ...
Revisiting the Civic Scientist
February 1, 2009Reading through the various science and technology offerings on the web this morning, I was struck by a conversation between Houston Chronicle reporter Eric Berger and Neal Lane, former National Science Foundation director and science advisor to President Clinton. Not surprisingly, towards the top of the conversation is President Obama’s ...
Geoengineering: Does it need a dose of geoethics?
January 28, 2009It’s been a big week for geoengineering. First there was the news that the world’s largest geoengineering experiment to date is about to start in the Southern Ocean. Following close behind was a new study on how geoengineering projects could potentially impact global climate change, ranging from covering vast tracts ...
All you wanted to know about nanotechnology, from a pack of Mentos and a bottle of Coke
January 25, 2009I spend quite a bit of my time talking to different groups about nanotechnology, including its potential and its challenges. And as a result, I’m constantly on the prowl for new ways of illustrating why nanotechnology is important. In particular, I’ve been keeping my eyes peeled for a quick and ...
Asbestos-like nanomaterials – should we be concerned?
January 23, 2009I’m afraid the “A” word just won’t go away. It seems that every time people start thinking about the possible health effects of long, thin, fibrous nanomaterials, the question pops up “is this the next asbestos?” You’d have thought that the issue would have been resolved by now—after all, nanomaterials ...
A red-letter day for science and technology
January 20, 2009As Barack Obama takes the oath and is inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States, many are anticipating a new era of socially relevant science and technology. Having run one of the most technologically savvy campaigns in recent times—possibly ever—Obama’s transition teams continued to break new ground in ...
Nanotechnology, science and public engagement—lessons from the UK
January 13, 2009Public engagement was a key feature in Barack Obama’s presidential campaign, and has been front and foremost in the transition between the old administration and the new. You only have to check out change.gov to see how ideas are evolving on soliciting and evaluating opinions from a broad swath of ...
Scientific knowledge, and the “pay to play” culture
January 7, 2009Here’s a bit of trivia to brighten your day: Between 2000 and 2007, Chinese scientists published roughly one nanotoxicology paper for every ten million people in the country. In contrast, US scientists published twenty-five nanotoxicology papers for every ten million citizens. I know this because I have just read a fascinating ...