The World Life Sciences Forum BioVision 2005 [3]

its inception, BioVision has addressed many of the vital Life Sciences issues facing our world today, and has achieved much of what it initially set out to accomplish: mobilise foremost specialists along with policy makers, members of government, ethicists, decision-makers, researchers, consumer representatives, patients associations, NGOs & media, with the aim of fostering open debate and exchange between Science, Society at Large and Industry. As we continue to confront ever more pressing questions that compel our full and undivided attention, we must not lose from sight that the key to addressing the challenges that lie ahead resides in our capacity to encourage dialogue and welcome new horizons, while tackling the associated risks and benefits.

The World Life Sciences Forum 2005 will provide a renewed opportunity for this unique platform to carry forward, in an ethical and balanced manner, the key developments of the XXI century.

Mr. Raymond Barre
former Prime Minister
former Vice President of the European Commission

Prof. Federico Mayor
former Director-General
UNESCO

Co-Chairmen, The World Life Sciences Forum

“It has been my good fortune to witness at each step of the way the growing impact of The World Life Sciences Forum. From the outset, Raymond Barre established a set of very ambitious criteria for success which I personally believe have been fully met when o­ne considers, for example, the launching of the BioVision Nobel Laureates’Day, the integration of the younger generation with BioVision.Nxt, the broad diversity of issues addressed during the Conferences, and the intensity of the discussions throughout the Forum.

The unique concept of The World Life Sciences Forum will continue to grow further, as BioVision 2005 will organise the globe’s celebration of the success of the Salk Polio Vaccination, a glowing testimony of how Science, Society, and Industry worked together for the first time for the direct and immediate benefit of mankind. o­n a continuum with The World Life Sciences Forum 2003 which celebrated the 50th anniversary of DNA structure, BioVision 2005 will also celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Nobel recognition for the discovery of gene regulatory mechanisms, a major milestone in modern biology and in many new gene-based technologies.

Fostering dialogue and cooperation at all levels has never been more necessary and more full of promise.

Prof. François Gros
Honorary Permanent Secretary
Académie des Sciences de l’Institut de France

President, International Scientific Committee, The World Life Sciences Forum

 The World Life Sciences Forum

As the analysis of recent decades clearly illustrates, Science and Technology are making exponential progress in all fields. This is particularly true of two areas: Information and Life Sciences, recognised as the keys to economic development and substantial changes in our lifestyle throughout the XXI century.

Health-related and food-processing industries, like all sectors with an environmental component, are finding themselves increasingly influenced, and indeed transformed, by the progress made in Life Sciences.

There is a need for objective reflections o­n progress and clear prioritisation wherever technical advances impinge o­n people’s lives. Nowhere is this need more urgent than in the Life Sciences where the blistering pace of technical change and industrial development are outrunning Society’s ability to embrace them.
This is why a working group, set up o­n the initiative of former Prime Minister Raymond Barre and the Academy of Sciences, had decided to create this essential World Forum designed to chart - and regularly discuss - the progress of Life Sciences and its techniques faced with the challenges of the future, without evading the associated risks.

The extensive participation of experts and leaders from Science, Industry, International Institutions, Policy and Regulatory Bodies, together with representatives of Non-Governmental Organisations, the Media, and other gatekeepers of Public Opinion maintain the reputation of BioVision for detachment and balance, and facilitate constructive exchange between opinion leaders and decision-makers from all backgrounds.

 BioVision: A Platform For Constructive Exchange

Key Orientations

 FACILITATE DEBATE o­n MAJOR ETHICAL PROBLEMS set by the development of Life Sciences at an international level.

 COORDINATE CAMPAIGNS OF COMMUNICATION for the general public, open up debate, particularly with NGOs.

 MAKE THE YOUNGER GENERATION AWARE of the potential of Life Sciences and train tomorrow’s experts, within a strict ethical framework.

 ENCOURAGE THE ALTERNATIVE CHOICES that new technologies and their by-products represent by integrating their economic, social, ethical and ecological dimensions.

 ENCOURAGE TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER (health, agronomy, food, environment) to developing countries, along with training programmes.

 ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNOLOGIES resulting from academic research by creating and developing start-ups.