Topics

The Forum for Genetic Research addresses current developments in the field of genetic research and the many applications considered relevant to society. In addition to scientific knowledge, the ethical, social and legal aspects are also taken into account.

The current thematic focus includes the following:

Personalisierte Gesundheit

Dank den Entwicklungen in den Life Sciences und der Biomedizin werden immer mehr und bessere Daten erhoben, seien es Geninformationen oder klinische Daten. Diese grossen Datenmengen werden in der personalisierten Gesundheit genutzt.

Feldversuch mit gentechnisch verändertem Weizen Universität Zürich Agroscore

Green genetic engineering

Genetic engineering is used in crop breeding to facilitate the development of plant varieties with certain improved characteristics.

Synthetic biology

A new research discipline at the interface of biology and engineering aiming to develop, build on and modify biological systems.

Specimen bag for biological sample. — Image: A. Chiang (flickr)

Biosecurity

Certain materials, technologies and knowledge created by life science research has a potential for being misused for harmful purposes.

Natural – Artificial

„Natural“ is generally equated with good and authentic while in contrast the „artificial“ is regarded with suspicion. But where does nature end and the artificial begin?