Policy Position Papers

Synthetic Biology: Ethical and Social Challenges

Arthur L. Caplan, Ph.D.
Division of Medical Ethics, New York University Langone Medical Center Summary The promise of synthetic biology is enormous. The technology can...

Communication Challenges in Managing Social and Economic Impacts of Emerging and Infectious Diseases

Paul Slovic, Ph.D.
President, Decision Research, Professor of Psychology, University of Oregon Summary Risk is inherently hard to understand and communicate. Analy...

FSSD strategic roadmap:


An ongoing series of dialogues and critical debates examining the role of science and technology in advancing domestic and international policy decisi...

Translating Technical Advances in Genomics to the Developing World: Addressing Cultural Needs as Part of Policy Making

Vanessa M. Hayes (top right), Ph.D.,
Professor of Genomic Medicine, J. Craig Venter Institute, San Diego, CA, Honorary Professor of Medical Sciences, University of Limpopo Summary T...

Solving Food Safety Problems Without Antiquated Regulation and Inspection

Richard Williams, Ph.D., M.A.
Director of Policy Research, Mercatus Center, George Mason University, Arlington, Virginia Summary The United States system of ensuring food saf...

One Health+: Integrated Control and Elimination of Zoonoses

Jakob Zinsstag, D.V.M., Ph.D., Diplomate ECVPH,
Deputy Head of Department Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland S...

Innovation and Policy against Hunger in a Water-Constrained World

Konstantinos Giannakas, Ph.D. Professor and Director, Center for Agricultural & Food Industrial Organization, Department of Agricultural Economics, ...
This paper discusses the role of innovation and policy in the fight against hunger in a waterconstrained world. The innovations considered here are g...

Water: A Resource Critical to Food Production and Survival

Elizabeth A. Bihn, Ph.D. Senior Extension Associate, Department of Food Science, Cornell University, Geneva, New York, United States
Fresh water is a limited and valuable natural resource that is crucial to human health and survival. Poor quality water continues to result in human ...

Improved Water Policies and New Technology

Alvin Smucker, Ph.D. Professor of Soil Biophysics; Director, Michigan State University Subsurface Water Retention Technology Program, Michigan State ...
Growing world populations, increased transport costs, and associated greenhouse gas (GHG) contamination, combined with changing climates demand the es...

Improved Water Policies and New Technology will Promote Greater Food and Cellulosic Biomass Production and Reduce Competition for Water

Alvin Smucker, Ph.D. Professor of Soil Biophysics; Director, Michigan State University Subsurface Water Retention Technology Program, Michigan State...
Growing world populations, increased transport costs, and associated greenhouse gas (GHG) contamination, combined with changing climates demand the e...