PRESIDENT'S NOTES
28 March 2002
Dear Colleague,
An important issue for the Academy in coming months will be our involvement in an exercise to examine the process of setting national research priorities. The Department of Education, Science and Training has established a task force to examine the process of priority setting for government research agencies and research funding agencies. The Academy of Science will assist in this exercise and will coordinate the involvement of the other learned Academies.
Best wishes,
Brian D O Anderson
ARC FUNDING
The Academy's media release of 31 January responded to the Government’s decision to direct one-third of the ARC’s 2003 funding to four priority research areas, namely, nano and bio-materials, genome/phenome research, complex/intelligent systems and photon science and technology. (See http://www.science.org.au/media/arcfunding.htm.)
In February, the Academy issued a detailed statement urging the Government to modify this directive to the ARC. The Secretary, Science Policy also wrote to the Minister for Education, Science and Training, Dr Brendan Nelson and the Chief Scientist. (See http://www.science.org.au/media/arcfunding2.htm.)
On 21 February, the President and Executive Secretary held a fruitful meeting with the Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon. Brendan Nelson, MP.
STEM CELL RESEARCH
Following media reports that human stem cell research was discussed at a Cabinet meeting on 25 February, the Academy wrote to the Prime Minister stating the Academy's position. The letter stated that the overwhelming majority of scientific opinion, in Australia and overseas, is that adult stem cells do not hold the same promise as do embryonic stem cells. The letter was also copied to relevant Ministers and to the Chief Scientist.
The Academy has also written to State Premiers and Health Ministers regarding research using human stem cells, because the item is scheduled for discussion by the Coalition of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting in April.
The Academy's spokesperson on human stem cell research, John White, made the following points:
1. The scientific community is almost unanimous in agreeing that research on embryonic stem cells must also proceed in concert with adult stem cell research. It is too soon to advocate one avenue in preference to the other. The overwhelming majority of scientific opinion, in Australia and overseas, is that adult stem cells do not hold the same promise as do embryonic stem cells.
2. Australia must not close the door on cloning techniques and research into embryonic human stem cells. Our view is that it is difficult to legislate effectively in an area of rapidly developing technology. Legislation can set limits on certain research practices, such as prohibiting the cloning of whole human beings, but should not regulate the details of research in human stem cells.
3. Most existing stem cell lines have been cultured in the presence of animal cells or serum that could lead to potential human health risks. Therefore, existing embryonic stem (ES) cell lines cannot be used for clinical purposes. In addition, over time, all cell lines in tissue culture change, and typically accumulate harmful genetic mutations. There is no reason to expect stem cell lines to behave differently. Consequently, while there is much that can be learned using existing stem cell lines if they are made widely available for research, new stem cell lines will be needed in the future.
4. The existing human stem cell lines may not be representative of humans in general. In mice at least, it is much easier to generate stem cell lines in some strains than others. The implication is that some cell lines may be more effective than others for use in research and for medical and therapeutic applications. If we limit research to existing cell lines we won’t be able to explore these differences.
5. Many of the embryonic stem cell lines are held commercially, usually overseas, and there may be problems of access to these lines or with the use of the intellectual property developed. This could apply particularly to commercial outcomes, or other outcomes of significant clinical benefit. In some cases, it may be desirable to repeat a development using unencumbered ES cells so that the outcome benefits Australia first. The companies that fund the research have ownership claims, which may extend not only to the cells but the results of the research that used those lines. Research will be outside government control.
6. The Academy recommends in order to allow Australian research leadership in potential therapeutic applications of embryonic stem cells, legislation should not prevent the derivation of further embryonic stem cell lines from unused in vitro fertilisation embryos.
IN THE NEWS
The President was invited to write an article for The Australian. The article, 'Owning a mobile isn't everything', is available at http://www.science.org.au/media/mobile.htm.
Joint Academy/CSIRO forum on energy
On 14 March, the Academy's Secretary (Science Policy), Michael Barber, and Executive Secretary, Sue Serjeantson, attended a planning meeting with senior staff of CSIRO to plan a scoping meeting for a proposed joint forum on Energy: Australia in 2020.
FOXES IN TASMANIA
The Academy has expressed its deep concern about the apparent deliberate release of foxes in Tasmania. We fear that this could lead to the extinction of a number of small marsupial species. The Academy's media release is available at http://www.science.org.au/media/foxes.htm.
Academies concerned at proposed cuts to R&D funding
The Presidents of the Australian Academy of Science and the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering have expressed concern at a report in the Australian Financial Review on Monday, March 25, that the Federal Government may be considering reducing expenditure supporting key areas of Australian innovation, in particular the R&D Start program.
The President of the Academy of Science, Professor Brian Anderson, said, ‘One of the challenges facing the Australian innovation system is the low business investment in research and development (BIRD). The reduction a few years ago in the tax concession in the interests of fiscal efficiency resulted in a downturn in BIRD.’
The President of the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, Mr Tim Besley, went on to say, ‘A reduction in the R&D Start program would have an even more deleterious impact on Australia’s R&D performance because it is targeted at the earlier stages of the R&D program, in particular small start-up companies.’
The Academy's media release is available at http://www.science.org.au/media/rdcuts.htm.
US ACADEMY
Michael Barber recently visited the USA and had discussions with the National Academy of Sciences on counter-terrorism and public health.
NSW FELLOWS
I will be going to the University of Sydney for a gathering of Fellows from New South Wales on 10 April. I will address Fellows at 5.30pm in the Darlington Centre Board Room. This will be followed by a cocktail party. If you would like to attend mailto: el@science.org.au.
There will be a meeting of EXCOM earlier in the day in the office of the Academy's Secretary (Biological Sciences), John Young.
MEETING WITH NSW OFFICIALS
On 10 April I am to meet officials from the NSW Department of State and Regional Development and the Innovation Council. The Innovation Council recently prepared the NSW Biotechnology Strategy. Don Napper, Chair of the Regional Group of Fellows, and Bob Frater will attend the meeting, along with the Officers of the Academy.
AGENDA FOR AGM
If any Fellows wish to submit items for the AGM agenda, please do so in writing before Thursday, 18 April 2002. Items should be forwarded by mail to The Secretaries, c/- Executive Secretary, Australian Academy of Science, GPO Box 783, Canberra, ACT 2601, mailto:eb@science.org.au, or by fax to 02 6257 4620.
Fellows are reminded that the AGM of the Academy is carried out in accordance with Chapter V: General Meetings of the Academy's Bye-Laws. Please note in particular Paragraph 6, which states 'No special business shall be brought forward at the AGM unless at least fourteen days' notice of it has been given in writing to the Secretaries or the Council has approved of its submission to the meeting'.
National Committees
A special meeting of National Committee Chairs will be held on 30 April. The meeting aims to improve the connection between the Academy and its National Committees and to provide an opportunity to review present structures.
ARC SPECIAL PROJECTS FUND
The Australian Research Council has a Learned Academies Special Projects Fund which allows the Academy to submit up to four expressions of interest for special projects (not for research funded through other programs). The closing date for expressions of interest is 24 May 2002.
If any Fellow would like to suggest a project, please contact the Executive Secretary at the Academy, mailto:es@science.org.au.
EXCHANGE PROGRAMS RENEWED
The Department of Education, Science and Training has confirmed that it will be renewing its contract with the Academy to manage the exchange programs for the next four years, starting on 1 July 2002. The exact amount of financial support is yet to be confirmed, but the Academy will be putting an additional proposal to the department for a Young Australian Researchers Exchange Program with Europe and the USA, following the success of the pilot scheme in 2000-2001.
AUSTRALIA-US WORKSHOPS
The Academy will also submit a proposal to the department to support a series of workshops for young researchers to be held with the US National Science Foundation. We expect that the first workshop, on quantum computing, will be held in Sydney in December 2002.
SETnet MEETING
The next SETnet event will be held at the Shine Dome on 24 April 2002 at 5.30pm. The topic is the internationalisation of science and the four learned academies will each make short presentations. The Foreign Secretary, Kurt Lambeck, will speak on behalf of the Academy of Science.
SETnet is an informal network for foreign governments, Australian researchers and science policy makers to exchange information and ideas.
OLIPHANT CONFERENCE
The first conference to be held in the Sir Mark Oliphant International Frontiers of Science and Technology Conference Series will be on the topic, ‘Photonic crystals down under’. The conference will be hosted by the Research School of Physical Sciences and Engineering at the Australian National University. The conference will be held at the university and the Shine Dome from 18 to 24 August 2002.
More information is available from Dr Yuri Kivshar, mailto:ysk124@rsphysse.anu.edu.au.
ASIAN SCIENCE CONGRESS
The fourth Asian Science and Technology Congress 2002 will be held in Kuala Lumpur from 25 to 27 April. The theme is ‘Research and development for resource-based industries in the new millennium’. The Academy, through its membership of the Federation of Asian Scientific Academies and Societies, is asked to promote the meeting within Australia.
For details mailto:trish.nicholls@science.org.au.
FEAST
Starting in April 2002, Neville Fletcher will be the Academy's representative on the Executive Board of the Forum for European-Australian Science and Technology Cooperation (FEAST). He will also represent other members of the research community such as the Australian Academy for Technological Sciences and Engineering, CSIRO and the Cooperative Research Centre Association.
The FEAST Executive Board comprises three permanent members (a representative of the Department of Education, Science and Training, a European Community delegation representative, and the Executive Manager of FEAST), and four rotating members (representatives of the Australian research community, Australian funding agencies, the European Union presidency, currently held by Spain, and the following presidency).
Arrangements for nominating a President
The Academy Council recently reviewed the arrangements by which the names of the next President and other Officers come forward to the Fellowship. Council
agreed that a Committee, comprising the President (as Chair), the Secretaries (unless one or more is a candidate for President) and one other Council member, from the physical science or biological science side as appropriate, be formed to consider Fellowship suggestions and to advise Council on nominations for the next President. Council agreed that it was not necessary to have a committee process for seeking names of Officers.
EXPATRIATE SCIENTISTS
Outstanding Australian scientists who live overseas are not eligible for election to the Academy Fellowship. The Council is considering whether to create a different category from that of corresponding member for such scientists.
NEWSLETTER
Other news is in the Academy’s latest newsletter, available in PDF format at http://www.science.org.au/academy/newslett/aas52.pdf.
DIARY HIGHLIGHTS
10 April – meeting with NSW Government officials; 5.30pm, meeting with NSW Fellows
30 April – meeting of Chairs of National Committees, Shine Dome.
1-3 May – Science at the Shine Dome, including Academy AGM
OFFICE BEARERS
President, Professor Brian Anderson
phone (02) 6125 8667, fax (02) 6125 8688, mailto:brian.anderson@anu.edu.au
Secretary (Physical Sciences), Professor Bruce McKellar
phone (03) 9344 5122, mailto:b.mckellar@physics.unimelb.edu.au
Secretary (Biological Sciences), Professor John Young
phone (02) 9351 4600, mailto:johny@physiol.usyd.edu.au
Secretary (Science Policy), Professor Michael Barber
phone (08) 9380 2460, mailto:mbarber@acs.uwa.edu.au
Foreign Secretary, Professor Kurt Lambeck
phone (02) 6125 5161, mailto:kurt.lambeck@anu.edu.au
Treasurer, Professor Ian McDougall
phone (02) 6125 4136, mailto:Ian.McDougall@anu.edu.au
