Publications 2000
152 - Indoor Allergens and Asthma (pdf 103KB)
Four page POSTnote, December 2000
The number of people diagnosed as having asthma has more than doubled in the last 30 years. Similar trends are seen with other allergic disorders such as hay fever and eczema. This has led to speculation that increased exposure to allergens - particularly those found indoors - might be a factor behind the trends. This briefing looks at recent trends in asthma, examines the possible factors behind them and discusses the issues that arise.
151 - The Autumn 2000 Rains and Floods (pdf 32KB)
Two page POSTnote, December 2000
Autumn 2000 was the wettest since records began in 1766. Most parts of the UK experienced the heaviest rainfall and most extreme floods for many years. This has raised concerns over whether such events are becoming more common and whether this can be attributed to climate change. This note describes the rainfall over the UK in Autumn 2000, outlines evidence regarding trends in such extreme events, and explores possible links with climate change.
150 - Galileo - a European Satellite Navigation System (pdf 53KB)
Four page POSTnote, December 2000
On 20 December the European Union Transport Council will consider whether to develop an European, civilian satellite navigation system (Galileo). Currently, the two main systems are run by the US and Russia, under military control, raising issues for Europe of sovereignty and security. This briefing describes satellite navigation, examines the case for Galileo and considers topics such as funding and management.
149 - Incineration of Household Waste (pdf 47KB)
Four page POSTnote, December 2000
Recent national waste strategies have led to the suggestion that the numbers of waste incinerators may increase significantly. This raises concerns over the health effects of pollution and the role of incineration in waste management.
148 - National Missile Defence in the US (pdf 44KB)
Four page POSTnote, November 2000
The US National Missile Defence (NMD) programme aims to protect the US against a limited number of ballistic missiles, fired from a 'state of concern'. NMD plans have attracted criticism that it is technically difficult to implement and risks destabilising international security by undermining nuclear arms control. In particular, NMD deployment would breach the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty between the US and Russia. Current plans for NMD envisage the use of upgraded facilities on UK soil, which would require UK permission. This note sets out the design and technical challenges of the proposed NMD system, and discusses the issues, focussing on the UK's role.
147 - Implementing the Kyoto Climate Change Agreement (pdf 45KB)
Four page POSTnote, October 2000
At the so-called 'COP6' meeting that begins in The Hague on 13th November 2000, it is intended to reach agreement on setting the global rules for implementing the 1997 'Kyoto Protocol' to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This briefing outlines the Kyoto Protocol 'Mechanisms', and discusses key issues to be raised at the meeting.
146 - GM Farm Trials (pdf 86KB)
Four page POSTnote, September 2000
Concerns that growing genetically modified (GM) crops on a commercial scale in the UK may have adverse effects on the environment prompted the government to launch farm-scale evaluations (FSEs) in spring 1999. These will assess the abundance and diversity of wildlife (biodiversity) in fields of GM crops compared to fields of conventional crops. But the FSEs have been the target of a high profile campaign to destroy the crops. This note details recent developments in the FSEs and examines the issues that arise.
145 - Patents and Gene Sequences (pdf 84KB)
Two page POSTnote, July 2000
The international project to map and sequence the human genome has stimulated a debate about patenting. Recent developments such as the announcement of a 'first draft' of the genome have served to intensify the issue. This briefing outlines the progress to date of sequencing efforts and examines the intellectual property rights (IPR) issues that arise
144 - Biodiversity and Conservation (pdf 75KB)
Eight page POSTnote, July 2000
The passage of the Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Bill, and two recent select committee inquiries have focussed parliamentary interest on protecting wildlife. Concerns have been raised over the role that science plays in defining the goals of nature conservation. This briefing note examines the basis for nature conservation and the role and application of science, and discusses the issues raised.
143 - Science Centres (pdf 48KB)
Four page POSTnote, July 2000
The Millennium Commission is investing over £250 million in building new Science Centres in the UK, covering diverse topics from space to life. In parallel, a new Wellcome Wing opened last week at the Science Museum. Issues raised include co-ordination between the centres and ongoing funding. This POST Note explores the content of the new millennium Science Centres and the Wellcome Wing and considers their future.
142 - Human Genome Research - summary (pdf 156KB)
Four page POST report summary, June 2000
Full report (pdf 424KB)
Seventy-four page POST report, July 2000
On June 26 2000, scientists in the UK and US announced the forthcoming publication of a ‘first draft' of the sequence of the human genome. While this is a significant milestone, it is by no means the end of the quest to crack the secrets of the human genetic code. Indeed, it is perhaps best thought of as the ‘end of the beginning' of such endeavours. In the coming years the knowledge gleaned from such research will have profound implications for the way doctors classify, diagnose treat and prevent disease. This POST report outlines the main developments, examines the implications and discusses the issues that arise.
141 - Stem Cell Research (pdf 134KB)
Four page POSTnote, June 2000
Research in animals suggests that stem cells-the precursors of the more specialised cells that make up organs and tissues-may be used to repair diseased or damaged tissue. Cells derived from early stage embryos may be particularly useful. While it is not clear whether this research can be repeated in humans, any such move would raise legal and ethical issues. This briefing outlines recent developments in stem cell research, looks at the potential applications and analyses the issues that arise.
140 - Early Years Learning (pdf 233KB)
Twelve page POST report, June 2000
This report was prepared as background briefing for the House of Commons Education and Employment Select Committee inquiry into Early Years Education. It summarises the scientific research on the development of the brain and the psychological development of children, and studies that have compared the outcomes of different types of pre-school education, and discusses the implications of this research for early years education policy. The Committee's report can be found here.
139 - Genetic Testing (pdf 101KB)
Four page POSTnote, May 2000
Within the next few weeks, scientists will publish a ‘working draft' of the human genome. One impact of this will be the development of genetic tests for a range of different purposes. Such tests will eventually change the way that diseases are classified, allow more accurate diagnosis, provide doctors with predictive tools, and allow drugs to be ‘matched' with patients. This briefing note examines recent developments in the field of genetic testing, and analyses the issues that arise.
138 - Science in the Media: Press Coverage of GM Food - summary (pdf 30KB)
Two page POST report summary, May 2000
Full report (pdf 301KB)
Fifty-two page POST report, May 2000
Recent years have seen intense media interest in genetically modified (GM) foods. POST and the House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee commissioned research to investigate media coverage of GM foods over the first six months of 1999. This report details the findings of this research and considers the conclusions drawn.
137 - Mixed Oxide Nuclear Fuel (MOX) (pdf 86KB)
Eight page POSTnote, April 2000
MOX is a mixture of uranium and plutonium oxides used in some overseas nuclear power stations. British Nuclear Fuels plc (BNFL) produced MOX for export on a small scale at Sellafield. A full-scale plant has been built but is awaiting government approval for operation. Recent events surrounding the falsification of data about MOX fuel pellets by BNFL workers raised international concerns and may have implications for the approval of the new plant. This POST Note gives an overview of how MOX is made and used, and looks at some of the issues raised.
136 - Cleaning Up: Stimulating innovation in environmental technology - summary (pdf 90KB)
Four page POST Report Summary, April 2000
Full report (pdf 390KB)
Eighty-three page POST report, April 2000
Innovation is the key to success in many areas of business, not least in improving environmental performance. Opportunities arise to develop domestic and global markets for industrial processes and consumer products based on meeting customer needs at the same time as improving environmental performance. POST has reviewed industry's responses to environmental pressures and what drives innovation.
135 - Water Efficiency in the Home (pdf 112KB)
Four page POSTnote, April 2000
Although the UK has not faced a serious drought since 1995, the availability of water resources is still attracting attention. Increasing household numbers and changes in lifestyles are raising demand, especially in some parts of the country. While this could be tackled by providing new supplies, it is Government policy that demand should be managed. One key aspect of this is encouraging the efficient use of water in the home. This briefing note examines the techniques for increasing domestic water efficiency and discusses the issues raised.
134 - Technologies for Independence in Later Life (pdf 172KB)
Eight page POSTnote, February 2000
The UK, along with most countries in the industrialised world, is seeing an increase in the number of older people within the population, due to declining fertility and mortality rates. About 25 per cent. of the population will be over 60 in 2020. There are many issues associated with this, the most important being the goal of maintaining autonomy and independent living for as long as possible. This briefing explores the technologies currently available to meet the needs of older people and analyses their accessibility to the end-user.
133 - Women in Science, Engineering and Technology (pdf 101KB)
4 page POST Report summary, January 2000
Full Report (pdf 187KB)
20 page POST report
The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) has recently completed its second on-line consultation, on the subject of women in science, engineering and technology (SET). The exercise aimed to inform the ongoing wider debate about the role of women in SET and to test the effectiveness of an e-mail based on-line consultation. This POST Report considers the topics that arose during the discussion and the issues raised by the method of on-line consultation. A draft of the report was given as evidence to the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee (subcommittee II) inquiry into “Science and Society”.