Scientific advances, ethical issues in personalised medicine, genetic testing and stem cell research were among the topics discussed during a science youth parliament held at the University of Cambridge from August 4-6.

Thirty sixth formers were selected from schools and colleges across Eastern England for their science interest and enthusiasm for debating the social and legal aspects of scientific research.

The science parliament was funded as part of the 2Ways project, co-ordinated by the European Science Communication Events Association (EUSCEA). The aim is to encourage dialogue with young people about aspects of current life sciences research.

University students from the Triple Helix society, which takes an interdisciplinary approach towards evaluating the impact of advances in science, helped to facilitate the work of the sixth formers in considering evidence and coming up with resolutions.

Feedback from the young parliamentarians was positive.

Annelise, 17, said: “You’re already familiar with the opinions of people in your friendship group so it’s interesting to find out what other people think, especially if they’ve been taught differently.”

Holly, 17, added: “These are things we don’t talk about in A-level lessons.”

Experts who addressed the youth parliamentarians included Professor Austin Smith, Wellcome Trust Professor of Stem Cell Research, Professor Jim Secord of the History and Philosophy of Science Department, Bronwyn Terrill, manager of the science communication and public engagement programme at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and Linda Scoriels, researcher in the Department of Psychiatry.

The parliamentarians also heard from researchers with experience of working in the heart of UK scientific governance: Dr Robert Doubleday, former ESRC fellow in the Government Office for Science and Rosie Robison, current POST fellow at the Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology.

At a final plenary session, each committee presented a set of resolutions on the area of life sciences research they were considering. The committees were questioned by the rest of the parliament, and resolutions were voted upon.

Resolutions approved by the parliament include “A person’s genomic sequence may only be stored on their medical records. Named copies cannot be stored elsewhere without consent “ and “Public interest grounds should not oblige people to take genomic scans for civil office or public service professions”.

The resolutions will be communicated to members of the European Parliament and other scientific policymakers. More information on the resolutions passed will shortly be available on the 2Ways website.

As part of the 2Ways project, thirty science youth parliaments are taking place across Europe, and a finals event will take place in the European Parliament in Brussels on November 30 and December 1, 2010. Two parliamentarians will be selected from the Cambridge event to travel to Brussels.

The 2Ways project is funded by the European Union FP7 Science in Society programme. Support for the event was also provided by its hosts, St Catharine’s College and St John’s College. The science parliament was organised by members of the Cambridge Science Festival team.

 

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