Library Items

• Briefing Papers                              
• Conference/workshop Reports                              
• Fact Sheets                          

  Briefing Papers

  The EFB Task Group Briefing Papers are concise, authoritative informative documents discussing key areas of biotechnology. They are available in many European languages and the paper version can be obtained free of charge from our secretariat.

  • Patenting in Biotechnology (update of earlier paper - Patenting Life)     
  • Biotechnology in Foods and Drinks     
  • The Application of Human Genetic Research     
  • Environmental Biotechnology - Second edition     
  • Dealings with the Media     
  • What's what in Biotechnology                    
  • Dialogue in Biotechnology     
  • Lessons from the Swiss Biotechnology Referendum                                       
  • Biotechnology Legislation in Central & Eastern Europe       
  • Antibiotic Resistance Markers in Genetically Modified (GM) Crops                
  • Biodiversity: the Impact of Biotechnology       
  • GM Crop Market Dynamics: the example of Soya Beans

  A very rigorous editorial process using a broad range of experts and interested parties is employed to maintain their neutrality, balanced stance and quality. Current circulation stands at around 10,000 per English issue, with a few thousand more in French, German, Spanish, Greek, Italian, Portuguese, Czech and Polish.

  These papers result from the combined contributions of scientists, industrialists and governmental, consumer, and patient organisations from across Europe. They are intended to supply balanced information and advance public debate.

  Conference and Workshop Reports

  • EU Focus Workshop: "Who should communicate with the public and how?" 
  • ASEM S&T Cooperation, Summary Statement on Food Safety Issues, June 2002    
  • Report of Advanced Workshop on Embryo Research, September 2001                 
  • The Use of Transgenic Animals in Medicine, Finland, October 2000                
  • Stakeholder Dialogue on Environmental Risks and Safety of GM Plants, March 2001         
  • Handling scientific uncertainty in European environmental decision-making, April 2000  
  • Ethical Aspects of Agricultural Biotechnology, 1999  

  Fact sheets

  • Fact sheet 1: The Tryptophan Incident                        
  • Fact Sheet 2: Allergies from GM Food

  EFB Fact sheets aim to clarify recurring issues that are often invoked inaccurately in the biotechnology debate.