Issues: Emerging technologies

Emerging technologies

SGR produces a range of resources on the issue of 'Emerging technologies'. This covers a wide range of new and controversial technologies such as hydraulic fracturing (fracking), artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, climate/ geo-engineering, genetically-modified organisms and synthetic biology, and nanotechnologies. An explicit concern is the adequate application of the precautionary principle, and the possible alternatives to emerging technologies, including 'appropriate' technology and non-technological solutions such economic, political or social change.

Shale gas and fracking: examining the evidence (Feb/Mar 2015)

Gwen Harrison MSc and Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, summarise SGR's recent briefing which finds numerous causes for concern regarding the planned extraction of shale gas in the UK.

Article from SGR Newsletter no.43; online publication 3 March 2015.

 

Scientific Publication in Peril: the Séralini Affair

Dr Eva Novotny discusses the controversy surrounding an academic paper showing health problems in a feeding trial of a GM crop – and what it says about corporate influence in this field.

Article from SGR Newsletter no.43 (advance publication), 24 October 2014

Updates added: 26 February 2015; 9 July 2018

 

Shale gas and fracking

Examining the evidence

This report, published by Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR) and the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH), critically reviews current evidence across a number of issues associated with shale gas extraction by hydraulic fracturing (fracking). These include environmental and public health aspects, and socio-economic considerations. The report raises a number of important concerns, especially regarding regulation of the industry and problems related to climate change.

Following subsequent criticism by some supporters of fracking, we have also produced a rebuttal of their main points.

21 July 2014 (updated 14 August 2014)
 

Modelling the transport of pollen by wind

Dr Eva Novotny, SGR, and Dr Jean Perdang, University of Liege, present in-depth analysis of the transport of pollen by wind, which has significant implications for setting separation distances between fields of GM and non-GM crops.

Two in-depth papers, 18 May 2014
 

Top books on science, technology and politics from the last 21 years

Dr Stuart Parkinson picks his choice of the best non-fiction books of recent years to mark SGR’s 21st anniversary.

Article from SGR Newsletter no.42, autumn 2013; published online: 19 December 2013
 

Open letter on pro-GM bias at academic journal

An open letter to the publishers and editor-in-chief of the Journal of Food and Chemical Toxicology, regarding the potential pro-GM bias introduced by the appointment of a new Associate Editor, Richard Goodman.

1 October 2013
 

Slowly boiling the frog? Reasons for disquiet over synthetic biology

Dr Helena Paul and Dr Ricarda Steinbrecher, EcoNexus, warn that the rapidly developing field of synthetic biology – which proposes releasing artificial living organisms into the environment – is running ahead of the necessary precautionary controls.

Article from SGR Newsletter no. 41, autumn 2012 (published online: 2 January 2013)
 

Science and technology: when does use become misuse?

Science and technology have contributed to huge changes in human society, bringing many benefits, but also helping to cause global scale problems. Using a series of examples from the past century or so, this presentation examines the balance of costs and benefits, and argues that the role of science and technology in society needs to change, if we are not to be overhwhelmed by the problems we now face.

Presentation by Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, at the What is science for? teachers' conference, Widnes, Cheshire, UK

25 February 2012
 

Automating warfare is ethically dangerous

Prof Noel Sharkey, Sheffield University, outlines the disturbing trends in military robotics, including armed drones.

Article from SGR Newsletter no. 40, autumn 2011 (published online: 5 January 2012)

 

Geoengineering the climate (Dec 2011)

Dr Joanna Haigh, Imperial College London, outlines the range of options currently being investigated by researchers and technologists to modify the climate system to try to prevent dangerous climate change - but finds that there are no 'magic bullets' here.

14 December 2011