GEST

Global Ethics in Science and Technology

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'GEST aims to explore the role of ethics in science and technology (S&T) policy as it is currently developing both in Europe and in the two main global emerging economies of China and India. S&T ethics has been widely debated in Europe in the last two decades leading to a number of policy initiatives that have influenced the development of new technologies in the European Research Area. The way in which ethical considerations are incorporated in S&T policy in Europe creates an environment that inevitably affects the EU’s global position.

At the same time Europe is increasingly co-operating and competing with the two major emerging economies of China and India, which are also keen to develop their S&T sectors. Interdependences between these three global actors require ever closer collaboration, preferably undertaken in a highly transparent manner. However S&T debates in each of the three regions follow local dynamics that are not necessarily easily understood, even by expert communities in those regions. Interdependent development (and even positive competition) requires mutual respect and understanding, but this relies upon close collaboration in exploring common issues and significant differences.

GEST aims to create such collaboration between key S&T policy advisory institutes in the three regions in order to provide a clear understanding of the role of ethics in S&T debates. GEST offers a unique chance to analyse and debate relevant issues while learning from experience gathered in Europe and in the two emerging economies. A group of experts with a wide disciplinary and geographical distribution will provide input for kick-starting a global debate on the dynamics of ethics in S&T policy. In order to address the implications for effective global governance of science, GEST will provide concrete, realistic policy recommendations in the form of a collaborative roadmap and an action plan for science in society that will consider policymaking needs in all three r'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Europe's cooperation and competition with China and India in science and technology (S&T) requires better understanding of regional ethical perspectives and collaboration on policies. Scientists developed an analytic tool to support the effort.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Ethical debates often inform the policy decisions that drive innovation in the European Research Area (ERA). China and India, the two biggest emerging economies, have their own ethical considerations following local dynamics often not well understood even by expert communities within each region.

Initial steps toward a roadmap for global policies governing ethics in science were taken as part of the EU-funded 'Global ethics in science and technology' (http://www.uclan.ac.uk/research/explore/projects/global_ethics_science_technology.php (GEST)) project. It aimed to create collaboration among key S&T policy advisory institutes in China, Europe and India with a focus on effectively incorporating ethics into S&T policy.

The scientific focus was on interdependent developments in nanotechnologies, food technologies and synthetic biology. Researchers explored the social determinants of policymaking in the three regions with respect to perceived risks and benefits and public stances on morality. A series of events covered the whole range of issues of GEST in all regions.

Many activities were organised by GEST to stimulate discussion and collaboration. Two workshops in China focused on China-Europe cooperation and a panel discussion at the 99th Indian Science Congress targeted ethics in S&T policy. The final GEST conference in India spurred a renewed push to establish a governmental S&T ethics advisory body in the country.

GEST was presented at the Euroscience Open Forum 2012, Europe's largest general science meeting. A workshop at the European Parliament about the project resulted in submission of common publications with the European Parliament's Science and Technology Options Assessment (STOA) Secretariat.

In the end, GEST delivered an Ethical Framework Analytic Tool for analysing S&T debates within the context of ethics that can be equally well applied in all three regions. The tool was tested on governance of the three scientific areas, enabling the project team to identify areas of similarities and differences, individual strengths and weaknesses.

The common methodology for analysing S&T ethics could set a global standard. The discussions and debates spurred by GEST ensure that the project's impact will be felt long after its completion.