The Research and Development Society

Tuesday 21 March 2006, 6.00pm
The Royal Society, 7 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AG

Past advances in Biosciences have had positive impact on society eg in health care. Now however, many of the public are concerned that the rate of advance, both in pure and applied bioscience, is such that important ethical, social and regulatory questions remain unaddressed. These concerns have led to a greater emphasis on risk in medi a reports, and greater use of the precautionary principle. Gill will discuss how to avoid the stagnation of advances in the biosciences without a greater effort by stakeholders to engage and build mutual trust with the public.Gill will argue that scientists have a clear responsibility and a key role in this process. The Bioscience Futures Forum had been established to adopt a proactive approach to bioscience regulation and reputation management, and to aim to shape the UK and EU environments of the future.

Dr Gill Samuels is a physiologist and neuropharmacologist by training. In April of 2005, she retired from the position of Executive director of science Policy and Scientific Affairs, Europe, Pfizer Global Research and Development. Before her appointment as Director of Science Policy, she was Director of Cardiovascular Biology for Pfizer contributing to the discovery of several new medicines, now marketed.

Her most recent work has focussed, at different times, on the science base: and on issues of healthcare in the UK, the OECD and in LDC's. She has served on two government Commissions (Human Genetics and Intellectual Property Rights) and as Chair of the Bioscience Futures Forum. In addition she is Chair of the Cheltenham Science Festival, a Special Advisor to the Science Museum, a member of the Council of the Royal Institution, and a member of the NESTA Fellowship committee.

Gill Samuels was awarded the CBE for services to the Bioscience and Pharmaceutical Industry in 2002, and in 2005 the CBI honoured her with the first Women of Science Award.