Vanessa Spedding is the Shorts editor

Misuse of scientific research

Countries should work together on measures to prevent the misuse of scientific research, according to The Royal Society. Vice President Julia Higgins said, ‘Minimum levels of safety regulation should be established to prevent a misguided scientist from carrying out unsafe research simply by moving to a different country.’

Animal research

Disagreement on animal research can be reduced if the quality of the debate can be improved and the Three Rs (Refinement, Reduction and Replacement) promoted, according to a report published by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics. The Ethics of Research Involving Animals also urged researchers experimenting on animals to publish data openly.

FP7: environment and sustainability

The environmental and sustainability aspects of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) came under scrutiny at a conference organised by The Greens and the European Free Alliance (EFA) in the European Parliament. Science and Research Commissioner Janez Potocnik received sceptical responses to claims of ‘green’ credentials. Contentious issues included nuclear research, health, climate change and nanotechnology.

University department closures

In its response to the Department of Education’s request for advice on the issue of university department closures, HEFCE has recommended using national centres to keep some subjects alive but cautioned against ‘moral panic’ about course closures, preferring to defer to market forces and university independence rather than recommend government intervention.

Discrimination

The Equality Challenge Unit has drawn up measures to prevent discrimination during the forthcoming research assessment exercise (RAE), which will be embedded in RAE submissions guidelines. For the 2008 RAE, universities must, for example, allow researchers who have taken a career break to submit fewer pieces of work to qualify for assessment.

Ethical code for scientists

The Council for Science and Technology is seeking views on the need for an ethical code for scientists. A working group has formulated the draft code, ‘Rigour, respect and responsibility: a universal ethical code for scientists,’ with the aim of fostering ethical research and encouraging wider perspectives. Comments are welcome before 1 November 2005.

Black Caribbean and Bangladeshi populations

Black Caribbean and Bangladeshi populations are the most under-represented in science, engineering and technology beyond GCSEs, according to Science, Engineering and Technology and the UK's Ethnic Minority Population from the Royal Society. The report analyses data on participation in SET education and employment and is based on research carried out at the University of Warwick.