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Advances in Biosciences and Technology Ask for Education at All Levels

Science and technology are changing our perception of life and hold potential to affect life in many ways, from extending life to the development of artificial life. As the understanding of the human genome expands, genetic mutations are increasingly identified as interactive elements in the vulnerability or resistance to a variety of widespread, often complex, diseases and disease processes (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia, depression, substance abuse). Medical science is approaching an unprecedented ability to predict individuals and families with significantly increased (or decreased) incidence of disease. This information may be used to advance health and resist disease through population studies ; and help individuals to learn how to benefit from their genetic predictors of disease. The scientific community needs to engage strategies to expand this knowledge while protecting those more prone to disease and enhance human and societal health. The area of public health meets great challenges including infrastructure, insurance, genetic risks, impacts on the quality of life, safety technology, and violence. Changing demographics affect models for health management. New understanding of public health and risk is also related to resistant pathogens and bioterrorism. The ethical and legal issues surround the development, use and misuse of powerful bioinformation and technology, despite of triumphs in agriculture, medicine, drug development, forensics, etc. Evolutionary ideas of new complexity affect social and sociobiological studies. Understanding of science, at some level, is important for all citizens. Science knowledge and scientific thinking should be considered as basic literacy for setting values and policies and shaping public and personal judgements and decisions. Combining genetic modification technology with sustainable farming, raise hope for the hungry Globe. Yet ignorance, confusing of principles and conflicting interests demonise the new technology. A matter of serious concern is genetic enhancements under competitive pressure of lucrative sports. Efficient information systems including educational programmes should help general public and policy makers assess risks and to direct the interplay of science, technology, natural systems and human factors to personal, societal and global benefits.

Human genome; population studies; diseases and genetic vulnarability; resistance to antibiotics; bioterrorism; gentic enhancement; health educational programmes; bioinformatics

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