Sir Alasdair Breckenridge has been appointed as Chair of the Government's new advisory body on the implications of developments in bioscience, the Emerging Science and Bioethics Advisory Committee (ESBAC).
Sir Alasdair, who is to take up the post immediately, will be responsible for chairing the committee to provide advice to the Department of Health and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on the ethical, legal, social and economic implications of emerging developments in bioscience. Sir Alasdair is also Chair of the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
Professor Dame Sally Davies, the UK's Chief Medical Officer, said: 'I am delighted that Sir Alasdair has agreed to chair this important new committee. He brings with him a level of experience that is difficult to match, plus a reputation for delivering high calibre debate and advice on serious scientific issues'.
Sir Alasdair said: 'I am delighted to accept this exciting and challenging role. New science and technology always presents us with difficult questions. I look forward to chairing the ESBAC and establishing it as a key contributor to the wider debate on science and healthcare'.
The unpaid appointment is for two years.
Sources and References
Related Articles
Who's advising the government on human genetics?
I served on the Human Genetics Commission as a lay member from 2006 to 2012, and found exploring new developments in this area fascinating...
Future of the UK's bioscience advisory body in doubt
The future of the Government's advisory body on emerging scientific developments is in doubt after a decision has been made not to renew appointments when they come to an end in the coming months....
Emerging science and established problems — governing biomedical innovation in the UK
The Department of Health (DH) has announced the formation of a new body to advise on emerging healthcare scientific developments and their ethical, legal, social and economic implications. The new body, the Emerging Science and Bioethics Advisory Committee (ESBAC), will rise phoenix-like from the ashes of the Human Genetics Commission (HGC), which was incinerated in the government's recent bonfire of the quangos. It is a telling illustration of the continued governance challeng...
UK Government's new bioscience advisory body starts recruiting
The UK's Department of Health has announced it is recruiting members for its new advisory body on the implications of developments in bioscience....
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.