scholarly journals Reactions of sciences to the Anthropocene

Elem Sci Anth ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Möller ◽  
Philipp Höfele ◽  
Andrea Kiesel ◽  
Olga Speck

The Anthropocene is the new geological epoch, characterized by the accelerating global influence of humankind and the impending point of no return on environmental changes. In this article, we highlight reactions of scientists to the challenges of the Anthropocene from the perspectives of biomimetics and sustainability research. To answer novel questions in the Anthropocene context, scientists have established relevant approaches to collaborate at an interdisciplinary level and have entered into exchange with society in the sense of transdisciplinary activities. With regard to biomimetics, we introduce the interdisciplinary approaches and transdisciplinary contributions leading to the development of biomimetic products on the market. Regarding sustainability research, we focus on a prospective assessment of substances of very high concern and show how environmental, economic, social, and ethical issues as well as policy measures play a central role in chemicals risk management. In the final “practice bridge” section, we use examples to describe how biomimetics and sustainability research can meet and how biomimetic products can contribute to sustainable development in the Anthropocene.

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 213-224
Author(s):  
Cheol Kang ◽  
Ilhak Lee

AbstractThis article examines the development of the Republic of Korea’s strategy to prevent the spread of COVID-19 with particular focus on ethical issues and the problem of politicization of public communication. Using prominent examples of stakeholders who have acted and expressed themselves in highly contradictory ways on the topic of the pandemic, we provide an analysis of how the public health policy discourse has entered into the realm of politicization and elaborate on the danger that this phenomenon poses in terms of rational debate and appropriate policy measures geared toward the public’s safety. Considering the role that the Republic of Korea have had in global media coverage of quarantine policies and epidemic prevention, we believe that our study makes a significant contribution to the literature because it provides a new perspective and insights into the forces at work within and around a prevention strategy that has both been lauded and seen as highly controversial.


1997 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 38-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary J. Granger ◽  
Elizabeth S. Adams ◽  
Christina Björkman ◽  
Don Gotterbarn ◽  
Diana D. Juettner ◽  
...  

1996 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-134
Author(s):  
Michael M.J. Lin

“A wise man can hear profit in the wind.”—Pel, quoting the Ferengi Rules of AcquisitionThe expansive biotechnology field includes many facets of medical research, from drug discovery and design, to gene therapy and the diagnosis of genetic diseases, to the use of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) evidence to identify individuals and genetic characteristics. The biotechnology industry requires a readily available supply of biological raw materials; much of current research is founded on cells, tissues, organs, fetal tissues and placentas, and other samples derived from human donors. However, this growing need for raw materials presents many economic, social, and ethical issues to society, researchers, and the existing legal regime. Furthermore, because courts and legislatures fail to provide a clear national rule regarding biological materials, the resulting legal uncertainties chill research and investment. Although very few cases address property rights in a person’s organs, tissues, and genetic material, the issues of autonomy and privacy involved evoke analogies to deep-seated issues such as slavery, the freezing of embryos, and abortion.


2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucien Hanssen ◽  
Tim Vos ◽  
Maartje Langeslag ◽  
Bart Walhout

Small particles, big issues. An issue analysis of the Dutch national dialogue nanotechnology Small particles, big issues. An issue analysis of the Dutch national dialogue nanotechnology In 2010 the Dutch government sponsored a national dialogue on nanotechnology. A wide range of activities was organised to bring scientific and societal views into this national debate. Issue analysis showed that risk issues concerning health and environment got most attention. Good legislation and ethical motives also came up as prominent topics in discussions. Next to issue analysis, we analysed the type of organizations that orchestrated the different projects and we looked at possibilities to bring in public voices. It turned out that there is no difference in public outreach or involvement among professional media, civil society, or academic organizations. Civil society organizations often set social and ethical issues on the agenda. Due to a lack of capacity and expertise their actual participation in dialogue projects was limited. To strengthen a more robust societal perspective in further national dialogues one could invest in capacity building for civil society organisations.


2001 ◽  
Vol 17 (suppl) ◽  
pp. S115-S126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maj-Lis Follér

This article deals with methodological issues and how to link global processes - social and ecological - with environmental changes and human health in local communities. The discussion concerns how interdisciplinary approaches can help us find tools to develop new knowledge. Scientific knowledge and local knowledge are not seen as opposite epistemological forms, but as socially and culturally constructed. Power and social legitimacy have to be included when analyzing how to deal with the interaction between global processes and local environmental change and the health/disease interface.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Adlaoui ◽  
C. Faraj ◽  
M. El Bouhmi ◽  
A. El Aboudi ◽  
S. Ouahabi ◽  
...  

Malaria resurgence risk in Morocco depends, among other factors, on environmental changes as well as the introduction of parasite carriers. The aim of this paper is to analyze the receptivity of the Loukkos area, large wetlands in Northern Morocco, to quantify and to map malaria transmission risk in this region using biological and environmental data. This risk was assessed on entomological risk basis and was mapped using environmental markers derived from satellite imagery. Maps showing spatial and temporal variations of entomological risk for Plasmodium vivax and P. falciparum were produced. Results showed this risk to be highly seasonal and much higher in rice fields than in swamps. This risk is lower for Afrotropical P. falciparum strains because of the low infectivity of Anopheles labranchiae, principal malaria vector in Morocco. However, it is very high for P. vivax mainly during summer corresponding to the rice cultivation period. Although the entomological risk is high in Loukkos region, malaria resurgence risk remains very low, because of the low vulnerability of the area.


2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusuf Ismail

Throughout the centuries, Muslims have shown a very high concern on preserving the Prophetic traditions and spreading its teachings and thoughts. In doing so, they have taken all possible means available to them. In this contemporary world, the spread of knowledge is made more accessible through the internet which, since its invention, has become a powerful tool to disseminate knowledge. This study discusses the roles of the internet and its importance towards the dissemination of Prophetic traditions through the emergence of specialized websites on the matter. It also describes the stages of development and some of the best available examples of these websites that focus on the Prophetic traditions and its studies.  


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