Research Report 2010 - MDC

Structure of the GroupChristof TannertGroup LeaderDr. Christof Tannert(retired, further supporting)Dr. Burkhard Jandrig(ad interim)ScientistsDr. Burkhard JandrigProf. em. Dr. Erhard GeißlerDr. Horst-Dietrich Elvers*Michaela Blankenburg*Lutz Haberland*Student SupportLars KaufmannKatarina Komenska*(University of Presov,Slovakia)*part of the period reportedBioethics and Science CommunicationThe group Bioethics and Science Communication was established in 2002. We analyzeethical, scientific, and social aspects of new health technologies. Areas of conflictconcerning future developments of these technologies are disclosed by the comparison ofscientific expectations with the ongoing social change.Our research focuses on prerequisites and practical questions for communicating scientificchallenges and results to the public in a procedure without preempting results, facilitatingthus an open, informed, and fair discourse.In particular, we are focusing on the evaluation of scientific uncertainties in health technologyassessment by omics technologies, risk perception and risk communication, lay-expertrelationships, and options for decision making.Active participation in health technology assessment by different stakeholders includingexperts and lay people is crucial to our research. By developing and evaluating rationalapproaches, we aim at contributing to new forms of governance and deliberative democracy.Relevant Topics:ethical, legal and social aspects (ELSA) and assessments ofbiomedical technologies, especially of (1) stem cellresearch and (2) radiofrequency electromagnetic fields(RF-EMF) and cancer.IMBA – Implications of Biomedicine for theAssessment of Human Health RisksThe project analyzes how toxicogenomics will trans -form the present risk management framework forbiomedicine. The focus of the research is on the impactof risk characterization, risk perception, and riskcommunication concerning RF-EMF and cancer. IMBA isa project of the “Strategy Group Systems Analysis andTechnology Assessment in the Helmholtz Association”(HGF SO-033 System Analysis). It started in June 2006and will be completed in December 2009. Theproject:· involves research groups and programmes inside theHGF, in close collaboration with German universitiesas well with international centers of excellence andadds critical mass to social science research on theimpacts of toxicogenomic-based risk assessment byinterdisciplinary collaboration between life scienceand social science· contributes to the public debate on the impact oftoxicogenomics on risk assessment throughdialogue with various stakeholders· fosters international collaboration throughinternational networks and conferences.SET-DEV – Science, Ethics and TechnologicalResponsibility in Developing and EmergingCountriesThe project SET-DEV aims in supporting the researchsystems of developing countries and countries withemerging economies, respectively, and especially thosecountries who are interested in developing their ownethical perspective in a more general context of sharing114 Cancer Research