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.

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.

Article from SGR Newsletter no. 40, autumn 2011 (published online 14 December 2011)
 

Emerging technologies and risk: the social, cultural and political dimensions (Dec 2011)

Dr Bronislaw Szerszynski, Lancaster University, argues that when it comes to new technologies, technical risk assessment is not enough.

Article from SGR Newsletter no. 40, autumn 2011 (published online 6 December 2011)
 

Geoengineering the climate (May 2011)

Presentation by Dr Joanna Haigh, Imperial College London at the SGR conference, Emerging technologies: are the risks being neglected? on 21 May 2011
 

Emerging technologies and risk: the social, cultural and political dimensions (May 2011)

Presentation by Dr Bronislaw Szerszynski, Lancaster University, at the SGR conference, Emerging technologies: are the risks being neglected? on 21 May 2011
 

Research investment decisions: time for change

Dr Helen Wallace, GeneWatch, highlights the failure of the biotech economy and argues that decisions on R&D investments should be made more democratic and accountable.

Article from SGR Newsletter no. 39, winter 2011 (published online 4 March 2011)