What are the bioethical implications of globalisation?
The spread of HIV/AIDS, the debate surrounding genetically modified organisms, and the prospect of international bioterrorism are all offered as examples of the increasingly global nature of biotechnology and biomedicine. This process of globalisation presents both opportunities and risks. Alongside the prospect of new treatments and technologies comes the risk of new diseases and threats. So what bioethical issues does this process raise, and what are the best policy options for addressing them? Answering those questions is the raison d'être of the BIG project (bioethical implications of globalisation processes), funded by the European Commission under the Quality of Life section of the Fifth Framework Programme (FP5). Under the coordination of the Centre for Science, Society and Citizenship in Rome, the partners will analyse the major causes for bioethical concern in the context of globalisation. In formulating policy options in response, the project will aim for both short term tactical considerations, and a longer term strategic perspective. As well as the direct involvement of experts from institutions in Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the UK and the US, the project aims to gather input from around the world by inviting scholars and practitioners in the fields of globalisation and bioethics to take part in a questionnaire. The questionnaire is in the form of a Delphi exercise, a communications technique designed specifically to collect and distil the knowledge of experts in a controlled manner, and the project is currently seeking qualified participants. Based on this Delphi exercise and the work of the participants themselves, the project will conclude with the publication of a final report, along with a set of recommendations that will be submitted to senior EU policy makers.