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Upheavals could be in store for the experts who advise the British government
on biotechnology and genetics. Jack Cunningham, Minister for the Cabinet Office,
last month announced a review of the 15 panels advising the government on all
aspects of the biosciences, from cross-species organ transplantation to cloning
and crop biotechnology. The review aims to identify any gaps in advice. It will
also evaluate ways of making the system more open and efficient. “The review is
mainly about whether the system is comprehensive and robust, but not so
inflexible that it prevents important new scientific developments,” says
Cunningham.