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Expert group constituted to look into ethics in science

By P. Sunderarajan

CHANDIGARH JAN. 4. The Indian National Science Academy has set up a group of experts to look into the issue of ethics in biotechnology, space science and other areas of science and technology to enable India take its own stand on controversial issues such as promotion of genetically modified organisms and the problem of space debris, taking into consideration the country's interests.

The panel headed by the former Science and Technology Minister, M.G.K. Menon, has been asked to come out with recommendations on the responsibilities of the scientists working in biotechnology, formulate ethical guidelines for medical scientists and evolve a concrete framework which could be the basis for negotiations with other countries on contentious issues such as the problem of space debris in the form of satellites and other spacecraft that had been abandoned at the end of their life span.

The panel includes representatives of the National Academy of Science, the Indian Academy of Science, and the subject academies of engineers, agricultural scientists and medical scientists.

Prof. Menon told presspersons that the country had to take a stand of its own, particularly in the area of biotechnology, considering that it had great potential in feeding the hungry. The panel would look into all the aspects of biotechnology and try to come out with recommendations after analysing the benefits and the risks involved.

Likewise, the authorities should have a clear view on various aspects of utilising the outer space. For instance, the area where geostationary satellites had been parked was jam-packed. The world should also do something about space debris and the electromagnetic radiation pollution in outer space. The panel would, among other things, look into the issue of patents and plagiarism in scientific research.

Stating that the panel would come out with a report by the year end, Prof. Menon said it would be circulated among scientists and placed in the public domain. ``Science and technology has to be the concern of every citizen of the country and, therefore, the report will be placed before the country''.

Prof. Menon was here to attend the 91st session of the Indian Science Congress.

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