Vanessa Spedding is the Shorts editor

Experts to assess life’s worth 

A comprehensive study of the world’s biodiversity, to include an assessment of its global economic value and the cost of losing elements of it, has been commissioned by environment ministers from the group of eight (G8) industrialised nations alongside Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa. The study will be modelled on last October’s Stern Report on the economics of climate change. Its publication date has not yet been finalised.

Time to change career direction? 

The Campaign for Science & Engineering (CaSE) has called for improvements in the quality of science and engineering careers guidance for students, based on observations published on their website (PDF). Meanwhile, Scientists for Global Responsibility report a dramatic increase in interest in their ethical science careers work: 6000 copies of their publications were requested in the last year alone.

National network for stem cell research

Minister for Science and Innovation Malcolm Wicks has cut the ribbon on the new UK National Stem Cell Network (UKNSCN), a national body designed to ‘improve the coordination of stem cell research and the dissemination of research results, in addition to providing a focal point for communication with overseas researchers, the media and the general public.’

Flying should carry health warning

The Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr) says the government should introduce cigarette-style health warnings at airports and on advertising for air travel. Presenting information such as estimates of emissions from the flight in question and comparisons of emissions for the same journey made by alternative transport would encourage more responsible behaviour, their research suggests.

STEM shortages will stymie business

UK businesses will soon struggle to find employees qualified in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) unless the government throws real weight behind the issue, according to a report from the Council for Industry and Higher Education and LogicaCMG. Their review found that although STEM graduates have increased in number since 2002, there are fewer taking STEM A-levels – the next generation of graduates.

Hybrids should be allowed, with care

The Science and Technology Committee has concluded that creating human-animal chimera or hybrid embryos is necessary for research but that they should not be developed beyond 14 days nor implanted in a woman. The committee criticised the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority for delaying its own assessments and the government for its ‘prohibitive’ proposals.

Biofuels need higher standards 

Environmental groups WWF, Greenpeace, the RSPB and Friends of the Earth have warned that the government proposal to push biofuels take-up – the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) – could, without tighter controls, actually worsen the climate by causing more CO2 to be emitted and by encouraging the destruction of rainforests, peatlands and wetlands in favour of biofuel crop

Science advisers to play stronger part

The government has responded to the Science and Technology Committee’s report on its use of science in policy making. It has acknowledged the need to raise the profile and impact of its Departmental Chief Scientific Advisers and to further involve them and the Chairs of the Scientific Advisory Committees in departmental policy-making. It stopped short, however, of approving a Government