Biotechnology

Analysis and Comment (9)

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The race to map the human brain may be more political than scientific. brewbooks

The brain race: can giant computers map the mind?

By Charles Watson, Curtin University

In the past month, we have seen two major announcements of huge projects to map the brain – the European Human Brain Project (HBP) and the Obama Brain Activity Map (BAM). What you may not have noticed…
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The completed sequence of the banana’s 11 chromosomes has global implications. Caro Wallace

Musa genome mapped: that’s bananas!

By Harjeet Khanna, Queensland University of Technology

What’s not to love about bananas? Besides being a wildly popular dessert fruit, they are the staple food of millions of people in developing countries. The current edition of Nature carries a paper that…
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We can already control computers with our thoughts, but how deep does the rabbit hole go? Warner Bros. Pictures

Into the Matrix: the future of augmented reality (and you)

By Rene Van Meeuwen, University of Western Australia

The growth of augmented reality (AR) will almost certainly change the way we visually experience the everyday world. And, as discussed previously on The Conversation, it’s likely to be Google’s Project…
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Synthetic biology may help us create artificial life, but how should we patent it? Wellcome Images

Inventing life: patent law and synthetic biology

By Alison McLennan and Matthew Rimmer

With promises of improved medical treatments, greener energy and even artificial life, the field of synthetic biology has captured the public imagination and attracted significant government and commercial…
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Global justice and human rights are remarkably absent in discussions of bioethics. Julien Harneis

Whose profit? Why bioethics needs a global perspective

By Alan Petersen, Monash University

Innovations deriving from genetics research, stem cell research, nanoscience and neuroscience will soon revolutionise medicine. With the potential for biotechnologies to alter natural processes and redefine…
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The epidermal electronic system can measure your vital signs in a completely unobtrusive way. John A. Rogers

Tattoo you: the stick-on medical revolution

By James Heathers and Andrew Kemp

When you think of tattoos you probably imagine bikies, celebrity tats or that Japanese flourish on your left foot that means “Honour” (or so you think). You probably don’t picture medical revolution…
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Banning patents on biological agents could see capital for innovative medicines dry up.

Patent amendment bill could kill access to new medicines

By Douglas Hilton, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute and Julian Clark, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute

Read the argument for the proposed legislation No one can deny that improved medical treatments and equity of access to them are essential to improving our community’s quality of life. Unfortunately…
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The Bill seeks to close the loophole opened by the US Patent Office 30 years ago. AAP

Who owns the rights to the human body? It’s patently obvious

By Luigi Palombi

Read the argument against the proposed legislation Patents are only to be for granted inventions – that’s the intent of the Patents Act 1990, it has been the law for nearly 400 years, and it’s also what…

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