|
|
Inside DNA
Unique travelling exhibition offers public chance to shape future science
policy
A unique travelling exhibition launched today will offer
the public the chance to challenge their own perceptions of current genome
research and have a say in the future policy of a science that will affect
our lives.
The £1.5 million five-year project entitled “Inside DNA: A Genomic
Revolution” is the first UK major touring exhibition on genomics. Funded
by The Wellcome Trust, the UK’s largest charity, the exhibition is the
result of a partnership between Ecsite-uk, the UK network of science
centres and museums, and At-Bristol, a leading science centre in the UK,
with scientific support from the world renowned Sanger Institute in
Cambridge.
The exhibition aims to reach over one million people across the nation
over the next five years. Visitors will have direct access to the research
and opinions of leading UK scientists, who are involved in the rapidly
advancing field of genomic science in the areas of health, identity and
evolution. Contributors include, former Prime Minister Tony Blair; and
eminent scientist John Sulston, the Nobel prize winner whose team
sequenced almost one-third of the human genome.
Inside DNA provides a combination of interactive exhibits and programmes.
Visitors can explore the role of genes and environment in human biology
and health as well as take part in the debate about our use of genomic
research. It is an accessible and neutral platform to help people make
informed choices at both personal and societal levels. Feedback from the
project will then be shared directly with the Human Genetics Commission –
the UK Government’s advisory body on new developments in human genetics
and how they impact on people’s lives.
Clare Matterson, Director of Medicine, Society and History at the Wellcome
Trust comments: "The arrival of this touring exhibition could not have
come at a more appropriate time. As scientific breakthroughs in the field
of genetics are constantly under scrutiny from an eager public, wanting to
find out more about their own health and how genes affect our
susceptibility to certain diseases. The Wellcome Trust is firmly committed
to engaging the public with science, and we are delighted that Inside DNA
will reach such a wide audience."
Goéry Delacôte, Chief Executive of At-Bristol and Executive Director of
Inside DNA’s project board, said: “Inside DNA is unique in many respects.
It breaks new ground by enabling science centres to cater to adult
audiences, the set-up of the project also demonstrates an effective model
of science centres leveraging one another’s strengths and collaborating as
a network. This is an exceptionally cost-effective strategy for a sector
where resources are limited. At-Bristol is very proud to be at the
forefront of this project, which breaks the frontier of science
communication, and be part of this genomic revolution.”
Bronwyn Terrill, Manager, Communication and Public Engagement at the
Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute comments: “Inside DNA will provide an
experience of genomics to match the excitement of the research. An engaged
public is vital if we, as a society, are to make the best use of
information generated by genomic research.”
Dr Penny Fidler, Director of Ecsite-uk commented: “The UK’s science
centres and museums represent an extraordinary resource for the future of
science in this country. As a network, we are uniquely positioned to
inspire and engage large numbers of people with the latest adventures in
science, whilst leading opportunities for dialogue between scientists and
the public right across the UK. We are delighted this ground-breaking
exhibition will tour eight of our science centres and museums, encouraging
people in all parts of our nation to explore and discuss the latest
advances in genetics, and to share their views with policy-makers.”
Funded by The Wellcome Trust, the exhibition is spearheaded by Ecsite-uk,
and produced by At-Bristol. At-Bristol has led on the management and
development of the project with support and input from– the Wellcome Trust
Sanger Institute, who led on the scientific advisory panel.
For press enquiries:
Mike Findlay, Wellcome Trust
0207 611 8612 /
m.findlay@wellcome.ac.uk
Mavis Choong, At-Bristol
0117 915 7152 / 0796 733 4152 /
mavis.choong@at-bristol.org.uk
Don Powell, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute
01223 496928 / don@sanger.ac.uk
Notes to Editors:
Inside DNA opens in Explore-At-Bristol on 29
November 2007, it will be traveling to Centre for Life in Newcastle and
Glasgow Science Museum in September 2008 and March 2009 respectively.
To mark the opening of the exhibition, the public is also invited to take
part in a unique forum, where nearly 300 individuals from different walks
of life will join leading scientists and ethicists from the UK in a lively
debate, exchanging their views and insights on the future of genome
research. The ‘Future of Genomics’ will explore, through
discussion, issues including the future for this fast-moving field,
consequences of its development on modern life and society and
beneficiaries of this area of science.
Participating experts include Nobel Laureate John Sulston as well as
leading researchers, advisors and commentators from Wellcome Trust Sanger
Institute, Human Genetics Commission, North West Genetics Knowledge Park
and the University of Oxford. The event will be chaired by Dr. Alice
Roberts, of the University of Bristol and presenter of the BBC2 series,
Don’t Die Young and Coast.
For more details see:
www.insidedna.org.uk
At-Bristol (registered charity 1049954) is a leading science centre
in the UK and a major player in the worldwide science centre movement. It
is a world-class science and discovery centre that makes distinctive,
valued and recognised contributions to informal science learning and
public engagement with science across Europe. A registered charity,
At-Bristol has hosted more than 3 million visits to-date.
The science centre has an extensive track record of managing and producing
large-scale exhibitions. It is fast becoming a hub, developing exhibitions
on behalf of and in collaboration with consortia of science centres and
institutions. At-Bristol is the only UK science centre to be part of the
Science Learning Centres network.
http://www.at-bristol.org.uk
Ecsite-uk represents the interests of more than 50 science centres,
science museums and discovery centres in the UK. Ecsite-uk was set up in
2001 to give the expanding sector a strong national voice. They aim to
raise the profile of science centres and to establish their role as a
forum for dialogue between science specialists and the public whilst
offering the centres as an informal resource for learners of all ages.
http://www.ecsite-uk.net/centres/
The Wellcome Trust is the largest independent charity in the UK and
the second largest medical research charity in the world. It funds
innovative biomedical research, in the UK and internationally, spending
around £500 million each year to support the brightest scientists with the
best ideas. The Wellcome Trust supports public debate about biomedical
research and its impact on health and wellbeing.
http://www.wellcome.ac.uk
The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, which receives the majority of
its funding from the Wellcome Trust, was founded in 1992 as the focus for
UK sequencing efforts. The Institute is responsible for the completion of
the sequence of approximately one-third of the human genome as well as
genomes of model organisms such as mouse and zebrafish, and more than 90
pathogen genomes. In October 2005, new funding was awarded by the Wellcome
Trust to enable the Institute to build on its world-class scientific
achievements and exploit the wealth of genome data now available to answer
important questions about health and disease. These programmes are built
around a Faculty of more than 30 senior researchers. The Wellcome Trust
Sanger Institute is based in Hinxton, Cambridge, UK.
http://www.sanger.ac.uk/
Click here to view the background information to Inside DNA: A Genomic
Revolution [PDF]
|
