Detailed Objectives and Research Tasks
Objectives Requiring Concentrated Means
Objectives
The main objective of demonstration activities in Biotechnology is to prove the technical viability of the new technology, together with, as appropriate, its possible economic advantages. Demonstration activities are expected to speed up the adoption of new biotechnologies by reducing the techno-economic uncertainties and risks associated with innovation and, to enhance the attractiveness of new biotechnological approaches in industries and services.
Partnerships executing demonstration projects should have a clear vision of the exploitation of project-deliverables and/or a clear commitment to provide reliable information to public entities such as consumer associations, industrial and professional groupings, etc. Priority will be given to projects addressing the specific hurdles which hamper successful utilization of these new technologies, such as competing technological alternatives, the resistance to change of potential users, a sometimes negative public perception of modern biotechnologies.
Demonstration activities to be implemented by this programme will focus on new technologies offering environmental advantages, a high socio-economic validity and a large economic potential.The required integration of producers and users of technologies in consortia of sufficient critical mass for project implementation is justified by the need to guarantee that there exists both, a clear technological objective and a substantial commitment to using the new technology once its demonstration has been successfully accomplished.
For the 3rd call and beyond, demonstration projects are invited in all areas in order to provide additional impetus to the rapid evaluation of the feasibility of new technologies.
Objectives
To analyse the ethical, social and legal issues raised by specific applications of biotechnology in view of their being taken into account in public policy deliberations.
To promote a rational and balanced dialogue between the key players including experts from natural sciences, medicine, philosophy, theology, legislation, economics and social sciences; and to involve the general public in this debate through, e.g. consumer and patients' groups, industry and trade unions.
To collect scientific data from Commission programmes, national programmes and other expert sources and to provide these data for an input into regulatory policies and procedures.
To identify areas where detailed expert opinions/reports are required and to encourage the publication of these opinions/reports.
Tasks
Transdisciplinary approaches of selected topics will be promoted, particularly as regards : genome research, biodiversity, intellectual property, transgenics, animal protection and alternative methods and public funding in biotechnology RTD, communication and users' information in biotechnology.
A number of specific ad-hoc-working groups will be set-up by the Commission services. There will be calls for scientific studies in areas, where these ad-hoc-working groups, experts and/or the Commission services have identified a need for having published expert opinions/reports.
Workshops and conferences will be supported and if necessary organised, to collect up-to-date scientific information on subjects relevant to ethical, social and legal aspects of biotechnology and its applications.
Consultation and exchange of information with other competent services and authorities of the Member States and the Commission as well as international organisations, in particular the Bioethics Committee of the Council of Europe will be promoted.
Synergies with other specific programmes
Ethical, social and legal aspects of Human Genome Analysis, brain research and pharmacological development, in particular with respect to clinical applications, will be addressed by Biomedical and Health Research.
Publications like EBIS ensure that specific activities based on an intensive inter-service consultation will be complementary.
See the ELSA homepage.
Objectives
To collect, analyse and distribute information on progress and obstacles in biotechnology diffusion in a timely and appropriate manner in order to promote an informed dialogue and aid transparency between technology users (e.g. industry) and the (interested) general public. Public authorities shall be involved in this debate.
To contribute to the debate about the safe application and implications of biotechnology in the planning of research activities, e.g. through pre-normative research, and to identify areas where biotechnology might contribute to i) the solution of urgent problems, e.g. bioremediation, ii) clean and sustainable products, e.g. renewable raw materials, (iii) safe and efficient health care, e.g. novel vaccines and other pharmaceuticals for somatic gene therapy extending beyond hereditary diseases to the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases like AIDS.
Tasks
Support will be given to a concerted action involving biotechnology, social sciences and communication sciences, analysing public perceptions in European countries and in a world-wide international context. Special attention has to be given to develop initiatives such as conferences and information papers which will reinforce a debate involving industry, consumers (the general public) and public authorities.
Also a concerted action based on national expertise will be supported in order to improve the next EUROBAROMETER (planned for 1996) and the evaluation of its results.
Activities will be supported to increase public interest, awareness and understanding of questions relating to biotechnology processes and products. This support includes initiatives which should involve the "media" for education and information and may be given in the form of concerted actions and or scientific studies as a result of calls for proposals.
Where appropriate, these activities may lead to demonstration projects.
Synergies with other programmes
Research activities in conjunction with the next EUROBAROMETER will be executed in closest collaboration with the services operating the EUROBAROMETER.
Established (recognised) applications of genetic engineering (biotechnology) shall be reviewed by other programmes, i.e. by Biomedicine and Health, and Agriculture and Fisheries. The biotechnology programme will concentrate on assessing the opportunities offered by progress made in the areas covered by the programme, in particular under area 7 (Pre-normative research, biodiversity and social acceptance) which impinge on regulatory processes.
Objectives
To examine the potential impacts of new biotechnology products and processes on society as a whole including the economy and employment, industrial structures and sectors, health-care systems, agro-industrial systems and energy production.
To understand the factors that influence the diffusion of biotechnology in society and to examine the role played by, for example, public policies and social needs.
To study and to evaluate the relationship between biotechnology driven research and development and "traditional" production methodologies.
To assess problems/opportunities of research SMEs in the field of biotechnology.
Tasks
Calls for scientific studies possibly highlighting opportunities for Industry and in particular SMEs to benefit from biotechnology research in the development of novel, clean and sustainable products and processes. Specific subjects will be selected with the help of outside experts and the programme committee. Evaluation of the experience gained through the evaluation of industrial proposals for project preparatory awards.
Synergies with other programmes
The definition of the subject of the calls for scientific studies will mainly be influenced by R&D sectors supported under the biotechnology programme and implications thereof. In specific cases issues shared with another programme under the Life Sciences and Technologies could be taken up in collaboration with the unit on the ethical and legal aspects.
A link will be established with the new European Technology Assessment Network, which will aim to coordinate the Community's research in the field of socio-economic research closely with national work and to develop a joint information and analysis infrastructure.
