A one-day conference bringing together scientists and the public to discuss the topical issue of ethics and science is to be held for the first time in Malta.

Organised by the Bioethics Consultative Committee, the ethics, science and society conference will enable members of the public to discuss with scientists the increasing importance of ethical practice and controls in scientific practice and research - which include issues such as cloning and stem cell research.

Committee chairman Maurice Cauchi said many scientists viewed the imposition of an Ethics Research Committee to oversee their work as an extra burden. "But I believe that this attitude is beginning to change. It is a fact now that most peer-reviewed journals will not accept a paper for publication unless it has been vetted by a Research Ethics Committee."

However, Prof. Cauchi said that although legislation was in place in most countries in Europe about the need for setting up such committees, Malta still lagged behind.

"It is still a lamentable fact that there is no obligation on the part of our scientists and researchers to submit their work to an ethics committee, and certainly there is currently no supervision in relation to work carried out."

The conference, which will devote much time to interactive discussion, will be addressed by the ministers of education and health as well as Prof. Judit Sandor from the Central European University of Budapest, who is one of three international experts who takes part in the work of Unesco in drafting an international legal instrument on genetic data.

It will be held at Villa Bighi in Kalkara on Saturday from 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Further information about registration is available from Prof. Cauchi on tel. 2156 4276 or by e-mail.

maurice.cauchi@um.edu.mt