St Mary’s University College Twickenham London
At a glance Plankton is our Plank Activities in Brief The Responsible University Royal Institute of Philosophy Lectures
Issue 7 Winter 2012 www.smuc.ac.uk
1 2 3 4
CBETBulletin
Newsletter for the Centre for Bioethics & Emerging Technologies
Plankton is our Plank
surface temperature, and that may be caused by climate
Geoffrey Hunt
dead bodies of plankton ancestors (i.e. oil). Marine
change. In a bizarre cycle invented by humans it seems the living plankton is being killed off by burning all the scientists have found that as surface ocean water warms, it forms a distinct layer trapping cooler, nutrientrich water below it, and so depriving the phytoplankton of materials needed to photosynthesise. This decline should be of great concern (Watson et al, 2003; Feely, 2004). A subsequent study finds evidence that oceanic chlorophyll has been increasing in some areas (McQuatters-Gollop, 2011), so more research is needed to resolve this vital issue. Chemical pollution and over-fishing may be related causes, and any decline could also be due to changes in the patterns of winds that carry nutrient-laden dust. Research is needed on the role of plastic waste, including a focus on the chemical engineering additives to the production process such as congeners and
Plankton? Ever heard of it? Lowly forms of sea life,
thus support the fishery industry and, more generally, the
microscopic and insignificant? Tiny, Yes, but lowly and
global chemical cycles vital to life.
New polymers and sustainability
insignificant, definitely not. Your very life depends on it. Plankton is the plank of life on Earth. There are millions of tons of plankton in the oceans.
catalysts.
Plastic waste
Where technology has created a serious global problem
Plankton hates plastic, but humans apparently love it.
(again), it is technology that now seeks the solution to the
There are animal varieties (zooplankton) and plant
Fragments and particles of plastics (polymers) pollute the
problem, but without sufficient attention to policy ethics.
varieties (phytoplankton). Phytoplankton (including green
oceans, including a huge whirlpool of fragments in the
It is true that new polymer nanomaterials could play a
algae) contain chlorophyll and are found in all the world’s
north-central Pacific. Indeed, about 90% of the waste
role in mitigating the effects of climate change including
oceans, in temperate areas. They produce an incredible
floating in the oceans is plastic in origin. In 2006 the
the associated adverse impact on climate. They could do
50% of atmospheric oxygen. That’s right, 50%!
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
this by destroying food contaminants, extending shelf-life,
Phytoplankton oxygen production is equal to that of all
announced that its researchers had found an average
reducing wastage, having better barrier properties for
green plants and trees on land. Trees we notice, plankton
18,500 pieces of plastic per square kilometer of ocean to
food containers and so on. However, we must be careful
we don’t.
a depth of about 30 meters. In some areas, the quantity
not to increase the chemical burden on phytoplankton,
For the first half of Earth’s 4.6-billion-year history its
of plastic was six times that of plankton. These fragments
The designers of new polymer nanomaterials for food
atmosphere contained almost no free oxygen. The
interfere with plankton and other marine life.
packaging, for example, must consider how these
oxygen we breathe was created by phytoplankton. What
Phytoplankton are vital but fragile.
materials can reach human food through the food chain,
is more, the fossilized remains of phytoplankton are the
One research study (Boyce et al, 2010) claims that
in this case via plankton and fish. One may speculate
oil that the economy now depends on as a source of
since 1950 there has been a phytoplankton decline of
that, for example, inadequate incineration of these
energy. Phytoplankton also takes up vast amounts of
about forty percent (40%), at a rate of about 1% per year.
materials could result in certain nanoparticles being
surface CO2, a greenhouse gas, so are instrumental in
Their findings are based on records of the transparency
deposited from the atmosphere into the ocean and there
managing climate change. They are vital to the global
of sea water, which is affected by the organisms. This
being concentrated by currents in areas where damage
ecosystem, being at the bottom of the food chain, and
decline (if confirmed) may be caused by increasing sea
Continued page 2 >
CBET Bulletin Issue 7 Winter 2012 | 1
Plankton is our Plank Continued from page 1 ... may occur to plankton and other marine life, and
Meanwhile, other researchers have found that even
References
subsequently enter the food chain. The sea-water
normal levels of ultraviolet sunlight are sufficient to cause
Boyce, DG; Marlon R. Lewis; Boris Worm, ‘Global
mobility and behaviour of the nanoparticles of this new
TiO2 nanoparticles suspended in seawater to kill
phytoplankton decline over the past century’,
packaging needs to be examined.
phytoplankton (R. Miller et al, 2012). Nanoparticles are
Nature 466, 591–596 (29 July 2010)
highly reactive with oxygen on exposure to ultraviolet. The
doi:10.1038/nature09268
various nanoparticles, especially silver (Ag) on aquatic life
nanoparticles can attach to phytoplankton cell
Feely, R, et al (2004) ‘Impact of anthropogenic CO2 on the
such as fish and Daphnia, as well as some studies of the
membranes and the TiO electrons react with the ambient
CaCO3 system in the oceans’, Science, 305(5682),
effects of carbon nanotubes and fullerenes on marine
water to form reactive oxygen species that damage cell
362-66.
aquatic life such as mussels. Consumers are already
membranes and degrade proteins and organic
McQuatters-Gollop, A; Philip C. Reid; Martin Edwards, et
buying socks impregnated with silver to kill of the odour-
compounds within the cell. This finding is important
al. ‘Is there a decline in marine phytoplankton?’ Nature
producing bacteria. But specific studies on the toxicity of
because TiO2 is the most commercially used nanoparticle.
472, E6–E7 (14 April 2011) doi:10.1038/nature09950
nanoparticles to marine phytoplankton are very few. I
Polymer nanomaterials for food packaging is already
Ai-Jun Miao, Xue-Yin Zhang, Zhiping Luo, et al (2010),
think such research is urgent and the knowledge gained
being experimentally designed to have useful
Zinc oxide–engineered nanoparticles: Dissolution and
should influence the design of polymer nanomaterials.
antimicrobial properties based on TiO2 or other materials,
toxicity to marine phytoplankton, Environmental
which may eventually harm the precious plankton too.
Toxicology and Chemistry, 29 (12) 2814–2822.
There have been just a few studies of the impact of
The results of early studies are worrying. A 2010
2
research study (Miller et al, 2010) tested zinc oxide (ZnO)
Miller, R; Hunter S. Lenihan; Erik B. Muller, et al (2010)
and titanium dioxide (TiO2) on population growth rates of
Save our plankton
‘Impacts of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles on Marine
four species of marine phytoplankton representing three
Such preliminary studies constitute proof of concept for
Phytoplankton’, Environ. Sci. Technol., 44 (19), pp
major coastal groups (diatoms, chlorophytes, and
marine nanotoxicology, although it is unlikely there is
7329–7334 / DOI: 10.1021/es100247x
prymnesiophytes). The findings were that ZnO
significant damage from nanomaterials effluent yet.
Miller, R, et al (2012), ‘Titanium Dioxide (TiO2)
nanoparticles significantly depressed the growth rate in all
The tested nanoparticles also need further
‘Nanoparticles Are Phototoxic to Marine Phytoplankton’,
four species while TiO2 had no effect on growth rates. In
investigation since ZnO, TiO2, Ag and other nanoparticles
online journal PLoS One.
a related study it was shown that the toxicity of ZnO
are becoming a common ingredient of certain consumer
Watson, W, Gregg, et al (2003) ‘Ocean primary
nanoparticles to the marine diatom Thalassiosira
goods, and without the knowledge of consumers.
production and climate; global decadal changes’,
pseudonana could be solely explained by Zinc ion (Zn2+)
Nanomaterials that could be designed into polymers for
Geophys Res Lett, 30 (15) OCE 3-1 to 3-4.
release (Miao et al, 2010). ZnO nanoparticle dissolution
packaging functionality – and additives in the polymer
rates were higher in seawater than in de-ionized water,
production process – could have implications for the
Prof Geoffrey Hunt is the Director of the Centre for
while ZnO concentration itself only had a very small effect
marine ecosystem that is already vulnerable. New ENPs
Bioethics & Emerging Technologies, SMUC. This article is
on Zn2+ release. The authors say, ‘Therefore, dissolution
should be tested for ecotoxicity at the design stage i.e. at
based on his presentation in Valencia, Spain 7-9th March
as affected by several physicochemical factors should not
the beginning of the life cycle. We cannot afford to
2012 for SMUC’s partnership in the EU’s Cooperation in
be neglected in the effects, behaviour, and fate of
continue ignoring the fact that plankton is the plank of life
Science and Technology (COST) programme FA0904 on
engineered nanoparticles in the environment’.
on Earth.
polymer nanomaterials for food packaging.
Activities in brief
Biomedical ethics Dr Stammers participated in Radio 4's “The Moral Maze” debate looking at the ethical issues in abortion on 13th September. Other panellists included Claire Fox and Anne McElvoy, alongside presenter David Aaronovitch. The debate took place at the BBC’s Media City in Manchester. This same issue was the focus of BBC
Emerging technologies
One’s “Sunday Morning Live” show on 7th October,
A talk on identity and implants at the “21st Century
where Dr Stammers discussed the topic of abortion and
Body” symposium, was given on 18th May by
discrimination against the disabled.
Dr Yasemin J. Erden, CBET’s Postdoctoral Research
“Using Humanities in Teaching Medicine” was the
Fellow, in a collaborative event between University
theme of a talk Dr Stammers presented at an afternoon
College London (UCL), BioCentre and CBET. From 2nd-
seminar on 17th October at Sundridge Park Manor, Kent
6th July Dr Erden attended and presented a paper at the
and on 1st November, Dr Trevor Stammers spoke on
joint conference in Birmingham of the Society for the
"Bioethical Frameworks" as part of a public lecture series
Study of Artificial Intelligence and Simulation of Behaviour
in Worcester entitled "Bioethics: Thinking Allowed".
(AISB) and The International Association for Computing
The ethics of artificial gametes was the focus of a
and Philosophy (ACAP) World Congress. The subject of
for a delegation of Brazilian health care practitioners,
paper Dr Stammers presented at a symposium on the
robotics was the focus of a talk Dr Erden gave in
mostly senior nurses from Sao Paulo University.
subject at Trinity International University, Chicago, Illinois
October to a group of sixth form students at Twyford School. “Climate Change and the Health Professional”, was
The NanoTechItaly 2012 conference took place on
conference were Visiting Professors of Bioethics at St
paper entitled “Polymer Nanomaterials: A Challenging
Mary’s, Prof Calum MacKellar and Prof David A Jones.
the theme of a lecture Prof. Geoff Hunt, Director of CBET,
Risk Assessment Background” under the COST action in
delivered at the University of Surrey on 10th July
which St Mary’s is a partner. CBET’s Postdoctoral
organised by the Faculty of Health and Medical Science
Research Fellow, Dr Yasemin J. Erden, also attended.
2 | CBET Bulletin Issue 7 Winter 2012
on the 3rd November 2012. Also participating in the
21-23rd November in Venice. Prof Hunt presented a
Drawing upon his love of film, on 8th October Dr Stammers spoke at a Cumberland Lodge Continued page 4 >
The Responsible University Sarah Killeen CBET Intern What is the corporate responsibility of universities,
Taking the audience through the chronology of
regarding research in science and technology? This
developments in this field, Prof. Ramsden identified and
question was explored by Professor Jeremy Ramsden in
discussed the failure of research to target the real issues
CBET Public Lecture hosted on 18th October 2012. A
and the reticence of industry, sponsors and government
recognised expert in the field of nanotechnology and
to comment on the weaknesses and shortfalls of such
President of Collegium Basilea (Institute of Advanced
research. He ably demonstrated how the influence of
Study) in Switzerland, Prof. Ramsden explored whether
vested interests from companies which fund university
the present organisation of universities hinders their ability
research can help to unduly shape research methodology
to undertake truly independent, honest work and, if so,
and outcomes, which in turn can cause both universities
(“The Ethics of University Research: Freedom, Efficiency
what changes might be required to deal with this
and industry to fail in their corporate responsibilities to
and Economics”, Spring Issue 2012), Prof. Ramsden
problem.
help protect and inform the public.
stated that roughly only 10% of research grant
Taking two the examples of genetically modified
It was pleasing to hear Prof. Ramsden report that, in
applications at Universities get the funding they request.
organisms (GMO) and passenger aircraft cabin air
October 2012 Airbus hired its first ever dedicated cabin
This was a theme he also picked up on his lecture
contamination, Prof. Ramsden examined the kind of
air contamination engineer, demonstrating that, despite
arguing that universities are now themselves de facto
responsibilities universities and companies which fund
the time lag, the industry is now beginning to address the
corporations. The crisis of modern universities is in part
university research should bear, particularly in terms of
issue of safety. Bearing these events in mind, he quote
created by the mass admissions, managerialism and
dissemination of research outcomes and taking action
the eminent theoretical physicist Richard Feynmann,
dwindling financial resources. Whilst previously, university
based on this research. Prof. Ramsden has been
whose comments made in 1986 seem all the more
researchers may have assumed that they were
particularly engaged personally in the discussion
pertinent at the beginning of the twenty-first century, that
undertaking independent research, with the growing shift
surrounding the health and safety issues of air
“For a successful technology, reality must take
to a corporation mindset, research grants are now
contamination in aircraft cabins. Despite concerns being
precedence over public relations, for nature cannot be
increasingly directing and influencing outcomes. This in
expressed concerning these, the air industry in general
fooled”.
turn, argued Ramsden, takes away the researcher’s
has downplayed the dangers.
Writing in the previous issue of the CBET Bulletin,
Chimera’s Children
academic’s integrity and independence.
The New Bioethics Dr Trevor Stammers
“Chimera”, “cybrid” and “admixed organisms” were concepts hitting the headlines in 2008 when the Human
A new academic bioethics journal, entitled The New
Fertilisation and Embryology Bill was being debated in
Bioethics: A Multidisciplinary Journal of Biotechnology
Parliament. ‘Chimera’ conjures up in a scenario in which
and the Body will be launched as CBET’S ‘house’ journal
Greek mythology meets a controversial modern
by Acumen publishing in 2013. This new journal has
biomedical advance seeking to fuse together human and
developed from our existing journal Human Reproduction
nonhuman. But just what is possible and what are the
and Genetic Ethics (HRGE) which started in 1998 and
implications of such experimentation? Why the
was under the editorship of Prof Calum MacKellar,
fascination with creating inter-species combinations?
Research Director of the Scottish Council for Human
In an attempt to tackle these questions, Chimera’s
Bioethics and Visiting Professor at CBET, until I took over
Children: Ethical, Philosophical and Religious
from him earlier this year.
Perspectives on Human-Nonhuman Experimentation was
Over this year, there has been a significant rise in the
published in August by Continuum. Edited by Calum
profile of HRGE, reflected in increased online viewing
MacKellar and David Albert Jones, the book is the first
figures, a much larger volume of submissions of papers
accessible survey of the current context and ethical
for publication and, more recently, several prestigious
implications of human-nonhuman genetic combinations.
conferences having either their whole proceedings or a
Chimera’s Children introduces the reader to the
significant part of them, published in dedicated editions
historical contexts and current developments in the
of the journal.
creation of human-nonhuman combinations, including
These changes constitute an increasing capacity to
hybrid embryos, cytoplasmic hybrids and chimeras.
build on the journal’s 17 year history of facilitating and
Leading bioethicists from Christian, Islamic, Buddhist,
publishing both international and interdisciplinary research
Hindu and Humanist traditions offer clarification and analysis of cultural and ethical perspectives.
and debate and to expand its scope from not only the and Visiting Professor of Bioethics here at St Mary’s
ethics of human reproduction and genetics, but also to
University College. David Albert Jones is Director of the
other areas of bioethical controversy, without any barriers
text is a timely and essential overview of the topic that
Anscombe Bioethics Centre, Oxford, founding
of discipline – whether philosophy, medicine, healthcare
will act as a springboard for future debate.
Programme Director of the MA in Bioethics & Medical
policy, nursing and allied healthcare professions
Law at St Mary's and is now a Visiting Professor of
theology, industry, science, jurisprudence, media or Continued page 4 > economics.
Written to appeal to the non-specialist reader, the
Calum MacKellar is Director of Research with the Scottish Council on Human Bioethics, Edinburgh, UK
Bioethics at St Mary’s.
CBET Bulletin Issue 7 Winter 2012 | 3
CBET resident staff
The New Bioethics
Continued from page 3 ...
My editorship has expanded the editorial team to
prospective authors especially to consider submission of
editor. There is consequently a unique opportunity to
their work to the journal
widen the content of The New Bioethics to cover all
Technology ethics Prof. Geoffrey Hunt CBET Director and Professorial Research Fellow Tel: +44 (0)20 8240 2311 Email: huntg@smuc.ac.uk Dr Yasemin J. Erden Research Fellow in Ethics & Emerging Technologies Tel: +44 (0)20 8240 4250 Email: erdenyj@smuc.ac.uk
early stages of their careers and encourage such
six, including a managing editor and a book review
The New Bioethics obviously encourages CBET
areas relevant to bioethics in the 21st century and
supporters and associates to subscribe to the journal
beyond. It will also enable us to publish a larger number
and to consider contributing articles, book reviews or
of the papers already received which were marginally
letters.
related, if at all, to reproductive issues, whilst retaining
Details of subscriptions and instructions for authors
the journal’s historic multidisciplinary and international
are on the website (www.equinoxpub.com/acumen
focus.
/index.php/HRGE) or contact Matt James, the Managing
We are also very pleased to be able to continue and
Editor, directly on jamesm@smuc.ac.uk.
expand our first-time publication of researchers in the
Royal Institute of Philosophy Lectures at St Mary’s
Biomedicine ethics
Following the success of last year’s series of free public
demonstrated that a philosophical text as a body of
Dr Trevor Stammers Programme Director in Bioethics Tel: +44 (0)20 8240 4310 Email: stammerst@smuc.ac.uk
lectures, St Mary’s School of Theology, Philosophy and
work exists outside what the reading self knows and, as
History, in association with the Royal Institute of
such, the philosophical text provokes the reader to
Philosophy, is currently hosting another lecture series
question themselves.
Additional staff
philosophy.
Prof. David Albert Jones Visiting Professor of Bioethics Email: director@bioethics.org.uk Dr Wendy Hiscox Lecturer in Medical Law Tel: +44 (0)20 8240 4250 Email: w_hiscox@yahoo.co.uk
focusing on the important role of ‘dialogue’ in Dialogue is at the very heart of philosophy. From
Exploring the idea that knowledge of persons is ethical and politically fundamental, Prof. Timothy Chappell from The Open University spoke on Persons in
philosophy’s roots in Ancient Greece deep dialogue
Dialogue on the 14th November. His presentation made
remains a vital means for philosophical engagement and
particular reference to the very different ways in which
even philosophical thought. Despite this, there remains
that idea has been developed by the French philosopher
insufficient understanding of its importance to our
Emmanuel Levinas and the American philosopher,
discipline, and its value for academia more broadly and
Stephen Darwall.
beyond. This includes philosophical dialogue with other
The next lecture in the series takes place on 28th
disciplines and the new ideas and clarity such
November. Dr Karin Fry from the University of Wisconsin
Prof. Rodney Taylor Visiting Professor Tel: +44 (0)20 8240 4250 Email: taylorr@smuc.ac.uk
engagement fosters.
will speak on Religion and Politics in the United States:
Mr Matthew James CBET Administrator Tel: +44 (0)20 8240 4250 Email: jamesm@smuc.ac.uk Dr Pia Matthews Lecturer in Healthcare Ethics Tel: +44 (0)20 8240 4250 Email: pia.matthews@smuc.ac.uk
The series invites speakers from a range of
Challenging One Way. All lectures are free, open to the
disciplines to address this oversight and reflect on the
public without registration and suitable for a non-
concept of dialogue in philosophy, academia and
specialist audience. Lectures start at 5.15pm and last
beyond. The first lecture of the series saw Dr Pamela
for 50 minutes, with 40 minutes for questions. This is
Anderson from the University of Oxford speak on the
then followed by a wine reception.
topic of In Dialogue with philosophical text to an
For further information please contact Dr Yasemin J.
enthusiastic audience in the Senior Common Room at
Erden – erdenyj@smuc.ac.uk. Audio recordings from
St Mary’s. Through her presentation, Dr Anderson
previous lectures can be found online.
Activities in Brief Continued ... Centre for Bioethics & Emerging Technologies St Mary's University College Waldegrave Road, Strawberry Hill Twickenham TW1 4SX Tel: 020 8240 4250 Fax: 020 8240 2362 www.smuc.ac.uk/cbet
4 | CBET Bulletin Issue 7 Winter 2012
Colloquium – "From the Classroom to the Clinic". His
SMUC) was published in Cobb, Mark R and Puchalski,
paper focused on the MA Programme in Bioethics and
Christina M and Rumbold, Bruce, (eds.) Oxford Textbook
Medical Law at St Mary's Twickenham, whilst his poster
of Spirituality in Healthcare. Oxford Textbooks in Public
presentation at the same event was given on "The
Health. Oxford University Press, Oxford. ISBN
Edinburgh Bioethics Film Festival: A Model for Cloning?".
9780199571390.
Publications
Prof Hint has been accepted by the “Journal of
During September and October 2012 Dr Stammers had
Biological Physics and Chemistry”. Also accepted is his
two pieces of work published. First, a paper on 'Brain
co-authored paper on nanosafety for the online
death' was published as part of the CMF files series.
academic journal “Materials”. Dr Erden has co-authored
Second, a chapter on secularism (with Dr Stephen
a paper on autonomy in the print journal “Cognitive
Bullivant, School of Theology, Philosophy and History,
Computation”.
A paper on the incompletability of science written by