-- The 5th edition of BioVision (March 11 - 14, 2007 in Lyon, France) will
gather leading international experts on health, nutrition and environment
issues to discuss, debate and agree actions for change.
LYON, France, Dec. 20 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- BioVision today confirmed
its broad ranging schedule for the fifth edition of BioVision, the World Life
Sciences forum. The 2007 event will review a number of critical and topical
issues: from the ethical and scientific conditions of stem-cell research for
regenerative cell therapies to the application of nanotechnologies to health
and environment fields, from the development of bio energy solutions in
response to global warming and water rarefaction. These are just some of the
key issues that representatives from science and business have identified
over the past 12 months for debate and action at BioVision, in Lyon, France
in March 2007.
BioVision differs from other scientific and business forums because of
its unique approach to examining today’s most important scientific issues.
The Forum brings together representatives from science, politics and industry
together with civil society representatives to debate key issues our society
faces, as far as health, nutrition and the environment are concerned.
The industrial application of scientific improvements fosters great hope
in the struggle against rare pathologies, malnutrition and pollution. But
theses advancements are increasingly raising more and more questions, concern
and opposition, especially from societal groups. In order to advance, these
complex and often sensitive issues require both transparency and cooperation
between the main players: citizens, scientists, industrialists and decision-
makers.
"There are important views and opinions held by these different groups
and yet they frequently don’t see eye to eye. BioVision aims to break down
barriers, create dialogue and foster greater understanding among these key
groups," said Philippe Desmarescaux, President, BioVision.
BioVision is a leading Life Sciences forum now entering its fifth
edition. In 2005, more than 4,100 participants from 70 countries attended,
representing a 28% increase from the previous event.
BioVision 2007 differs from previous editions in a number of ways and
seeks to bring a new level of innovation to scientific and business debate:
-- The event will focus solely on "The Contribution of Life Sciences to
the Millennium Development Goals". Among the objectives set out for
2015 are: reducing by 50% the proportion of the world’s starving
population, reducing by two-thirds the rate or mortality for under-
fives, eliminating the spread of AIDS, overcoming malaria and other
deadly diseases, making available and at affordable prices all useful
medicines, ensuring a sustainable environment and dividing in half the
proportion of the world’s population that doesn’t have easy access to
drinking water. Unfortunately, it is clear that intermediary goals set
for 2015 are unlikely to be met in the concerned countries if no
further efforts are made.
-- Ten pre-conferences were held during 2006. These sessions have set the
stage for the debate and prepared the framework for BioVision 2007 to
ensure that the Forum goes beyond stimulating dialogue to examine
concrete and necessary actions.
-- The primary goal of BioVision, the World Life Sciences Forum, 2007, is
to develop concrete recommendations and proposals, leading whenever
possible, to constructive action.
-- The "World Foundation for Life Sciences" was founded to bring necessary
financial means to help fund or achieve a number of specific projects
arising from the conclusions drawn at BioVision.
BioVision 2007: preliminary program highlights
-- March 11th - afternoon: BioVision Nobel Laureates Session
-- March 12th - morning: round-tables
-- March 12th afternoon and March 13th: debates and conferences:
- Health:
- Poverty diseases
- Immunization for all
- Cellular therapy
- Agriculture/Food:
- Integrated approaches to eradicate hunger
- Food for the future: north and south issues
- Development of agriculture in saline and unexploited areas
- Environment/Energy:
- Water
- Bio energy after oil
- Nanotechnologies and life sciences
-- March 14th - morning: Conclusions and recommendations
BioVisionaries Session
Program and registrations
The complete BioVision 2007, pre-conference reports and further press
information is available online at http://www.biovision.org . The system is
now open for media accreditation.
General information, official program, pre-conference reports, agenda,
news
http://www.biovision.org
Debates and discussion on:
http://www.biovision-blog.org
Media accreditation and materials
http://www.biovision.org/press_room.htm
