E-Book Overview
Women in Biotechnology presents a unique study of the relationships and communications between women scientists, particularly those working in biotechnology. This is achieved by creating interfaces or collecting different point of views over several disciplines (i.e. economy, sociology, biology, genetics) to bridge the communication gap among science, the humanities and different feminist groups. The publication of this book is the first step in building a new scientific community that shares a common interest in improving the awareness of women scientists who are not an integral part of the decision-making processes in their respective fields. In this respect, Women in Biotechnology endeavours to address the ethical and bio-political implications in the different branches of contemporary research, and to promote the need of women holding decision-making power to consolidate the scientific and social responsibility to all scientists.
E-Book Content
Women in Biotechnology Francesca Molfino • Flavia Zucco Editors Women in Biotechnology Creating Interfaces Editors Francesca Molfino Women and Science Association (Italy) Rome Italy ISBN 978-1-4020-8610-6 Flavia Zucco Institute for Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine (INMM) The National Research Council (CNR) Rome Italy e-ISBN 978-1-4020-8611-3 Library of Congress Control Number: 2008930761 © 2008 Springer Science + Business Media B.V. No part of this work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, microfilming, recording or otherwise, without written permission from the Publisher, with the exception of any material supplied specifically for the purpose of being entered and executed on a computer system, for exclusive use by the purchaser of the work. Cover image: Esercizi di equilibrio (Exercises in equilibrium) (1999, biro e pastello su carta) remains with the artist Paola Gandolfi Printed on acid-free paper 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 springer.com Foreword Johannes Klumpers Biotechnologies, such as genetic engineering, cloning and biodiversity, raise many legal and ethical concerns, so it is important that people understand these issues and feel able to express their opinions. This is why the European Commission has been, for a number of years, supporting actions to improve communication among scientists in these diverse areas. The project ‘Women in Biotechnology’ (WONBIT), financed under the 6th Framework programme of the European Commission, is an excellent example of what can be done to target opinion-formers such as scientists, economists and lawyers in bottom-up activities, and to encourage a debate on gender issues triggered by developments in the life sciences. WONBIT gave rise to a successful international conference highlighting the importance of adopting good practices and ethical considerations in parallel with the rapid pace of progress in biotechnology – from a woman’s point of view. In particular, the conference addressed women in decision-making positions in biotechnology with specific reference to scientific excellence, social competencies and management qualities as well as issues relating to environment, society and the younger generation. But it did not stop there: a key part of the conference was dedicated to stimulating public debate among non-specialists, which has led to a number of recommendations to policy-makers on better communication in biotechnology, on taking better account of the gender aspects of research, and on involving more women in the decision-making process that surrounds developments in biotechnology. I am sure that this publication on the outcome of the WONBIT conference will contribute to enhancing the significance of women’s role and presence in biotechnology, as well as changing outdate