TAB

NEWS



December 2009

      Innovative Therapies in clinical trials.
      A TAB innovation report analyses the chances and risks of biomedical innovations in Germany as a location for industry

      Clinical research is an important link in the chain of development of new treatment methods. Are the general conditions in Germany adequate to ensure an early access to innovative treatments while at the same time avoiding possible risks for the probands as much as possible? This question was the starting point of an extensive analysis that was performed by TAB on behalf of the Committee for Education, Research and Technology Assessment.

      New biotechnology based therapy techniques become increasingly important for economy and for supplying patients with innovative medication. The TAB innovation report (TAB working report No 132) which is now available provides an overview of current research and development of new therapy methods as well as an assessment of (EU wide and national) regulatory frameworks in this area. It is being discussed if the current or future regulations and procedures are suitable to improve the competitiveness as well as if they provide adequate safety of probands and patients and ensure protection from improper application. In a comparative perspective the position of Germany in the international context is being examined.

      Bibliographic references

      Bernhard Bührlen, Horst Christian Vollmar
      Innovation Report Biomedical innovations and clinical research - questions of competition and regulation
      TAB report No. 132, June 2009

      »From vision to reality?«
      TAB report on ubiquitous computing released

      Ubiquitous computing is held to be a promising path for innovation worldwide. Extensive R&D-activities and political strategies aim at the goal to advance real world technologies and applications. The TAB working report No 131 analyses the state and perspectives of technological development and application in economy and society. Where is our position now on our way towards the ›internet of things‹? Which examples from practical experience show already today the potential that can be tapped by implementing the basic idea of ubiquitous computing - the complex electronic interconnection of things that communicate. Which technical, legal and societal challenges have to be overcome - and what can be the contribution of politics? In this new TAB future report, which has been drawn up under the auspices of Fraunhofer ISI, the status quo and the perspectives of ubiquitous computing are analysed and illustrated with the help of examples like commerce, logistics and the public health sector.

      However the fascinating ›benevolent elf technology‹ of ubiquitous computing has to be limbered up extensively by all parties concerned in economy, society and politics, if its applications are to become really economically attractive, socially benign and helpful in dealing with societal problems. 

      Bibliographic references

      Michael Friedewald, Oliver Raabe, Daniel J. Koch, Peter Georgieff, Peter Neuhäusler
      Future Report Ubiquitous Computing
      TAB report No. 131, May 2009
June 2009

      "Well known, but still room for improvement"

      First representative survey on the German petition system yields surprising results

      Two of three Germans know their right of petition well, every fifth has exercised it. Petitions are submitted in general by older well educated men, where the thorough treatment of their request is seen as more important as a swift reply. There are no significant differences between new (former East German) and old (former West German) federal states. These are some of the conclusions that the Office of Technology Assessment at the German Parliament, which is operated by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), has drawn from the first representative survey of the German petition system. This study is being presented to the public today at the yearly press conference of the Petitions Committee of the German Bundestag in presence of the president of the Bundestag, Mr. Norbert Lammert (MP).

      The right to approach Parliaments and public authorities with petitions is granted by the Germany constitution as a civil right. Petitions are for the most part complaints or requests to change or adopt certain legislation. Data about the prominence and the usage of the right of petition in Germany have not yet been at hand. This knowledge gap has now been closed with the survey "Prominence and prestige of the Petitions Committee of the German Bundestag and usage of the right of petition in Germany", that has been commissioned by the Office of Technology Assessment at the German Bundestag (TAB). The TAB based in Berlin is operated by the Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis (ITAS) of the KIT.

      With respect to prominence and usage of the right of petition it turned out that 67.1 % of the population have already heard about it and 21.4 % have exercised it at least once (by endorsing or submitting a petition). 19.3 % of the population have supported a collective or even mass petition by signing it and 3.6 % have initiated and submitted a petition themselves. The active users of the right of petition are predominantly men who are older, well educated, politically interested and adept at using the internet. There is no distinction between the East- and West-German Population with respect to awareness level and use of the right of petition. Whilst the first result met our expectations, comments project manager Ulrich Riehm of the Office of Technology Assessment at the German Parliament, »the second one comes as a surprise, because the population in the new federal states was thought to be more active with respect to petitions«.

      Among the possible addressees of petitions (petitions committees and ombudsmen of the German federal states and of the European Parliament), the Petitions Committee of the Bundestag is the best known institution: 52,4 % have already heard about it. At the same time the petition system is in competition to other procedures of political participation. Here the rates of involvement into collection of signatures (64.5 %), demonstrations (41.2 %), public political discussions (39.6 %) and direct approach to representatives of politics or administration (35.6 %) surpass clearly the 21.4 % who have participated in petitions. »Nevertheless«, sais Ulrich Riehm, »the fact that about every fifth German has already employed the instrument of petition is evidence that this civil right is definitely significant to the people«.

      With regard to the treatment of their petition by the German Bundestag for 37.7 % of the people polled the thoroughness ranks first followed by a comprehensible feedback and a swift reply. So far mainly the long handling time in the petition procedure has been criticised in the public. Also surprising is the preference of different ways to submit a petition to the German Bundestag: In the first place there is the letter with 48 %, in second place is to put forward the case in person (26.7 %) and in third position the submission via the internet. In the age group up to 24 years the personal presentation - which is not scheduled today - is even the method of first choice. Here it can be seen that the addition of the internet to the hitherto existing submission medium, the letter, does by no means fulfil all the wishes of the people with respect to an easy and effective access to the Petitions Committee.

      In total 1.014 people have been polled over the phone in November 2008. The survey is fully representative for the German resident population over 16 years of age, for people of foreign nationality there is only a limited representativeness. The poll is part of the technology assessment project "Public electronic petitions and civil participation", which has been executed by TAB on behalf of the Bundestag in the years 2006 to 2008. It was motivated by the pilot project "Public Petitions" that was started in September 2005, in which the Bundestag embraced the internet into the petitions procedures. Since then petitions can be submitted electronically, can be supported and underwritten in the internet and can be discussed in fora.

      The Berlin based TAB has scientifically accompanied the pilot project "Public Petitions" has asked about outputs, outcomes and impacts and has put the analyses into the context of development of the petition system and e-Democracy. The elements of the pilot project were appraised positively by the people polled: The possibility to get informed about petitions via the internet which was introduced in 2005 is judged "good" or "very good" by 73 % of the people polled. Likewise 65.8 % appreciate the opportunity to discuss and the possibility to underwrite petitions in the internet.

      The results of the survey are being published in the TAB-Background Paper No 17; it is available from the Office of Technology Assessment of the German Parliament (buero@tab.fzk.de) or can be downloaded from the webpage of TAB. The final report of the project has been published as a book in June 2009 (Ulrich Riehm, Christopher Coenen, Ralf Lindner, Clemens Blümel: Bürgerbeteiligung durch E-Petitionen. Analysen von Kontinuität und Wandel im Petitionswesen, Edition Sigma, ISBN 978-3-8360-8129-0).

      Contact

      Ulrich Riehm
      Office of Technology Assessment at the German Parliament
      Tel. 030/28 491-105
      E-Mail riehm@itas.fzk.de

      KIT-Pressinformation (PDF)

      Bibliographic Details of the Background Paper

      Barbara Lippa, Herbert Kubicek, Stephan Bröchler
      Petitioning and the Petitions Committee of the German Parliament: The View of the German Public
      Report Prepared in the Framework of the TA Project “Public Electronic Petitions and Civil Participation”
      edition sigma, Berlin, 2009, ISBN 978-3-8360-8129-0
      Studien des Büros für Technikfolgen-Abschätzung beim Deutschen Bundestag, Bd. 29

      A new issue of the TAB-newsletter has been released

      Even though the financial and economic crisis is currently on the tip of everyone's tongue – the question how global food security and energy supply can be warranted in the future is still of the highest priority.

      The focus of the TAB-newsletter No 35 is dedicated to current and future challenges that global agriculture needs to meet. At centre stage are the issues of securing an adequate global food supply and a contribution of energy plants to the energy system. The three main articles show from different perspectives the complexity of these challenges that have to be tackled in terms of climate change and ever growing world population.

      Moreover there is sapid information about and from current investigations that TAB is performing on behalf of the German Parliament.

      The electronic TAB-newsletter No. 33 can be downloaded [PDF file] from the TAB website. Past editions can be found at http://www.tab.fzk.de/de/tabbrief.htm.

      The printed TAB-newsletter can also be ordered from the secretariat free of charge – please send an e-mail buero@tab.fzk.de or Fax (030/28 491-119) – indicating single issue or regular subscription. You can also sign up to be informed of publication of the next issue by e-mail.

June 2009

      Citizen Participation via e-Petitions

      With the pilot project "Public Petitions" that started in 2005 the German Bundestag integrated the internet into its procedure for petitions and hereby achieved a better transparency of petition practice. Since then petitions can be transmitted electronically, can be endorsed, underwritten and discussed via internet.

      The Office of Technology Assessment at the German Parliament (TAB) has accompanied this process scientifically and has investigated the yield and the impacts of the pilot project. Have more petitions been submitted? Who has participated in electronic petitions? How were petitions been discussed in the online forums, and in what way were the results of the discussions fed into the political process of debating the petitions? For the first time the TAB report provides answers to these and other questions on the grounds of a comprehensive empirical basis.

      The analyses of the pilot project of the German Bundestag are put into the context of the development of the petition system and e-democracy as such. Case studies on the introduction of electronic petition systems at the Scottish Parliament, with the UK prime minister in South Korea in Australia (Queensland) and in Norway round out the picture.

      Bibliographical references
      Ulrich Riehm, Christopher Coenen, Ralf Lindner, Clemens Blümel
      Bürgerbeteiligung durch E-Petitionen.
      edition sigma, Berlin 2009, ISBN 978-3-8360-8129-0
      Studien des Büros für Technikfolgen-Abschätzung beim Deutschen Bundestag, Bd. 29
      (same as TAB-report No. 127, »Öffentliche elektronische Petitionen und bürgerschaftliche Teilhabe« [Summary])
May 2009

      Individualised medicine and the health system - Results of the TAB-Future Report will be presented and discussed at a public event in the German Bundestag

      Individualised medicine could significantly shape the health care system in 15 to 20 years time and could penetrate all the stages of health service provision -- from prevention to (early) diagnostics to therapy and aftertreatment monitoring. It has the potential to achieve ambitious goals in terms of quality and cost of public health care by providing medical services that are more specifically adapted to an individual.

      On behalf of the Committee on Education, Research and Technology Assessment the Office of Technology Assessment at the German Bundestag (TAB) has - for the first time ever - examined all the relevant scientific-technological lines of development in an integrated perspective. Insights and technologies from genome research, tissue engineering, stem cell research, and nanomedicine are examined with a view on their potential an challenges for an individualised medicine. Because in these fields there are only limited developments close to practical applications today, the contours of such a type of medicine their possibilities and limitations remain partly blurred. However it is important from a societal and political perspective to address the question at an early stage if and how products and procedures of individualised medicine could be integrated in the public health care system.

      The Office of Technology Assessment at the German Bundestag (TAB), being a scientific consulting body of the German Bundestag, has carried out this investigation. The results will be presented to Parliament and the general public and discussed on May 27th 14:30 to 17:00 hours in a professional discussion open to the public under the auspices of the Committee on Education, Research and Technology Assessment.

April 2009

      TAB presents a report on the adoption of electronic petition systems

      On March 4, 2009 the results of the TA-project "Public and electronic petitions and citizen participation" were presented at the sitting of the Committee on Education, Research and Technology Assessment of the German Parliament -- with participation of the chairwoman and the spokespersons of the Petitions Committee -- and the report was approved. It is now available in print.

      Subject of the TA-project was the pilot project "Public Petitions" of the German Bundestag that opened up the opportunity to submit petitions electronically to publish them in the internet to endorse and to discuss them online. Beyond that also other petition, appeal and mediation bodies, national and international, have been analysed compared and contrasted. The participatory and discursive elements of procedures that are rendered possible by the internet are particularly interesting.

      The report contains a comprehensive chapter on petition and appeal structures at home and abroad. For Germany the parliamentary petition committees on the different governmental levels and the more thematically focused accredited agents at parliament or at the executive branch are examined. Moreover complaint- and appeal bodies in the private and media sectors, including the internet, are portrayed. The plurality of submission bodies and their specific embedment into the respective political systems and cultures can be seen by depicting the petition and ombudsman structures abroad. A general development trend of petition systems seems not to exist.

      Content of another substantial chapter are case studies of the e-petition systems at the parliaments in Scotland and Queensland, of administrations of Norwegian communities as well as at the executive in the United Kingdom and South Korea. Private providers of e-petition platforms and the role of e-petitions for political campaigning of non-governmental organisations are also covered.

      The previous history as well as the mode of operation of the pilot project "Public Petitions" of the German Bundestag are elucidated in yet another chapter. This chapter contains the results of the evaluation of the pilot project. Amongst other things the response to the pilot project by the general public and by politics, the compatibility of the technical-organisational system considering the established procedures of the Bundestag as well as the quality of the contributions in the discussion forum are addressed.

      In the concluding part proposals for the reorganisation of the system "Public Petitions" in terms of procedures and software implementation are made. This is followed by explanations to a number of options for a further development of the petition structure of the German Bundestag, which transcend the topic of public petitions and could strengthen the distinctiveness of the Petition Committee.

      Bibliographical references
      Ulrich Riehm, Christopher Coenen, Ralf Lindner, Clemens Blümel
      Öffentliche elektronische Petitionen und bürgerschaftliche Teilhabe.
      TAB-report No. 127, June 2008

      The printed volume can be ordered from the secretariat of TAB (buero@tab.fzk.de) free of charge while stocks last.
      A book publication in the series "Studien des Büros für Technikfolgen-Abschätzung" published by edition sigma is in preparation.

March 2009

      Individualised Medicine - personalised, predictive and preventive?

      Individualised medicine pledges to achieve a better and more cost-effective health care for common diseases of civilisation in the future, because it is more specifically adapted to the individuum. Individualised medicine could penetrate medical practice from prevention to (early) diagnostics as well as therapy and aftertreatment monitoring. A multitude of scientific and technological developments contribute to this trend reaching from genome analysis, molecular imaging, cell therapies with the body's own cells to pharmacogenetics, nutrigenomics and the determination of patient-specific protein expression patterns. They provide new biomarkers and analytic measures to divide patients more precisely or accurately into groups relevant to treatment. In this future report the current status of development and future perspectives of these developments are presented in an integral way and implications are analysed that could arise from an individualised medicine for health care, business enterprises and health insurance. Central challenges are to create appropriate research and health political frameworks that ensure that from the overwhelming mass of biomarkers the ones are being further developed and speedily introduced into health care that really constitute an added value in terms of clinical benefit.

      Bibliographical references
      Bärbel Hüsing, Juliane Hartig, Bernhard Bührlen, Thomas Reiß, Sibylle Gaisser
      Individualisierte Medizin und Gesundheitssystem
      TAB-report No. 126, June 2008 (Here you can download the final report, but it is only in german language [PDF 1.924 KB/348 pp.])


December 2008

      Thematic focus of the new TAB-newsletter: E-participation in digital democracy.

      The new issue No 34 of the TAB-newsletter has been published. The thematic focus is dedicated to some "Variants of Digital Democracy". In three individual contributions exemplary ways of utilisation of the internet are presented: "abgeordnetenwatch.de" (similar to the UK project mysociety.org) a platform that declaredly wants to mediate between politics and citizens, e-consultations in Canada as an interesting example of internet-based communication processes between (executive) politics and citizens as well as a comparison of the e-petition systems of the parliaments in Germany and Canada.

      From these examples the reader can compare and comprehend in which divers shapes and with what success the aim of e-participation is aspired. In the course of reporting from the "TAB project studio" this time a thorough overview of 12 new project topics, that TAB will take up within the next months, is of particular importance.

      The electronic TAB-newsletter No. 34 can be downloaded [PDF file] from the TAB website. Past editions can be found at http://www.tab.fzk.de/de/tabbrief.htm.

      The printed TAB-newsletter can also be ordered from the secretariat free of charge – please send an e-mail buero@tab.fzk.de or Fax (030/28 491 - 119) – indicating single issue or regular subscription. You can also sign up to be informed of publication of the next issue by e-mail.

      The electronic TAB-newsletter No. 34 can be downloaded [PDF file] from the TAB website. Past editions can be found at http://www.tab.fzk.de/de/tabbrief.htm.

      The printed TAB-newsletter can also be ordered from the secretariat free of charge – please send an e-mail buero@tab.fzk.de or Fax (030/28 491 - 119) – indicating single issue or regular subscription. You can also sign up to be informed of publication of the next issue by e-mail.
November 2008
October 2008

      Energy Storage - State and Perspectives

      A differentiated "stockkeeping of energy" is in principle – but not free of losses – technically feasible. For this purpose a wide variety of technological options exist. Energy storage devices are even today a regular component of our energy supply system. Even though their role has barely been noticed by the public, their importance will increase in the future. One reason is that there is an immense supply potential of fluctuating energy sources to produce electricity, and their share of the total supply is expected to increase notably in the future. However their electricity production is at times out of phase with the demand. Thus an increased use of energy storage facilities would be beneficial and could have positive impacts upon the security of supply. Many research projects in the field of energy storage have been ceased or adjourned in part because they seemed to lack profitability in times of low or falling energy prices. However today increasing and strongly erratic prices at the commodity markets for energy carriers necessitate new views at the possibilities of energy storage. Because of this, the topic deservedly comes to the fore again in policy, economy and the sciences recently.

      Bibliographical references
      Dagmar Oertel
      Energy Storage – State and Perspektives
      TAB-report No 123, February 2008 [Summary] [report to download only in german - pdf-Datei 1.698 KB/163 S.]

September 2008

      Gene Doping - a new degree of escalation in Doping?

      Like a phantom "gene doping" haunts the debates on the future of competitive sports for years. Frequently the respective fantasies and visions culminate in the notion of super-athletes that are manipulated permanently in their genetic constituents. However the anticipated application scenarios will be much less spectacular but at the same time much more probable and obvious. We have to reckon soon with the use of new substances and gene- and cell-therapeutic techniques to manipulate specifically gene activity. Their application promises a highly efficient performance enhancement and will be difficult to detect, if at all possible.

      A new publication of TAB answers comprehensively the key questions of the further development: Which scientific research findings could a potential gene doping use, where will be the gateways into competitive and recreational sports, and how can one react by means of interdiction and control systems? It will also be asked, which individual behavioural patterns of athletes and which societal contexts will play a role in the expected career of gene doping.

      Bibliographical references
      Katrin Gerlinger, Thomas Petermann, Arnold Sauter
      Gendoping. Wissenschaftliche Grundlagen – Einfallstore – Kontrolle.
      edition sigma, Berlin, 2008, ISBN 978-3-8360-8128-3
      Studien des Büros für Technikfolgen-Abschätzung beim Deutschen Bundestag, Vol. 28
      (also TAB working report No 124 »Gendoping« [Summary])

      The working environment in industry is facing an uncertain future

      The working environment in industry is facing drastic changes: globalisation, increasing demand for services, novel organisation models, new emerging technologies (biotechnology, nanotechnology, ambient intelligence) – many factors are driving the process of change. How these drivers will develop and which structures of work are to be expected in five to ten years, is the subject of volume 27 of the scientific book series of TAB which is available now.

      The researchers examined futures studies and analysed in parallel to this which changes have already taken place. According to this two critical developments will still aggravate in the future: low qualified labour will face increasing difficulties to find employment. At the same time the lack of skilled personnel – especially engineers, natural and economic sciences – will grow further due to the identified trends. Here all options for action should be fathomed to counteract this effectively, as the study recommends. Other recommendations are targeted to design advanced training courses and further education in bio- and nanotechnology in a more application oriented manner as well as to attach more importance to services in education.

      Bibliographical references
      Steffen Kinkel, Michael Friedewald, Bärbel Hüsing, Gunter Lay, Ralf Lindner
      Arbeiten in der Zukunft. Strukturen und Trends der Industriearbeit.
      edition sigma, Berlin, 2008, ISBN 978-3-8360-8127-6
      Studien des Büros für Technikfolgen-Abschätzung beim Deutschen Bundestag, Vol. 27
      (also TAB working report No 113 »Arbeiten in der Zukunft. Strukturen und Trends der Industriearbeit« [Summary])

      Internet and new media in Africa – vehicle for development

      Developing countries and up-to-date information and communication technologies (ICT): how does that go together? This topic which is often discussed but seldom investigated in detail is highlighted in a just released book publication of TAB. Particular attention is devoted to Africa south of the Sahara, a world region with significant developmental restraints. In the focus is the use of the internet with its numerous requirements. As a matter of fact the obstacles for the use especially of the internet to foster further development stay rather demanding. The results of this substantial study, for which also field research has been performed, indicate not only potentials of ICT for development, but also show that internet use in Subsahara-Africa is multifaceted and evolving dynamically at present. Not only with respect to the issues examined predominantly (democratisation, economy, education and research) there do exist considerable chances and requirements for an expansion of the information society in this world region. Another main focus of the volume are suggestions for political (re)actions and for the advancement of development by increased networking.

      Bibliographical references
      Christopher Coenen, Ulrich Riehm
      Entwicklung durch Vernetzung. Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien in Afrika.
      edition sigma, Berlin, 2008, ISBN 978-3-8360-8126-9
      Studien des Büros für Technikfolgen-Abschätzung beim Deutschen Bundestag, Vol. 26
      (also TAB working report No 118 »Internetkommunikation in und mit Entwicklungsländern. Chancen für die Entwicklungszusammenarbeit am Beispiel Afrika« [Summary])


July 2008

      Storing Greenhouse gases from power stations in the ground?

      About one third of the global CO2-emissions originate from fossil fuelled power stations. Recently the option to capture the generated carbon dioxide and store it in the subsoil is being discussed very controversially. Appropriate techniques could be mature for large scale application in about 15 to 20 years. However there are still considerable knowledge gaps to be filled before the question can be answered if carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) could be a viable and effective option for climate protection.

      What are the most efficient technologies, how big are the CO2 mitigation potentials, how substantial are the safety risks and environmental impacts that originate from CO2 storage sites, what are the costs of these technologies? In general there is the question how the concept of CCS can be integrated in the structure of the energy supply system and how it can be competitive with other options for CO2 mitigation (energy efficiency, renewable energies).

      In Vol.25 of the »Studien des Büros für Technikfolgen-Abschätzung beim Deutschen Bundestag«, that has been released now, the current state of knowledge and discussion is being highlighted as well as options for a societal debate – cf. public acceptance – and an adequate regulatory framework are being developed.

      Bibliographical references

      Reinhard Grünwald
      Treibhausgas – ab in die Versenkung? Möglichkeiten und Risiken der Abscheidung und Lagerung von CO2
      edition sigma, Berlin, 2008, ISBN 978-3-8360-8125-2
      Studien des Büros für Technikfolgen-Abschätzung beim Deutschen Bundestag, Vol.25
      (also TAB working report No 120 »CO2-Abscheidung und -Lagerung bei Kraftwerken« [Summary])

      Converging Technologies: Background Paper "Converging Technologies and Sciences" published online

      The newly published TAB-Background Paper No 16 (pdf) arguably represents the most comprehensive account of the political and academic discussions about the so called "Converging Technologies".

      The new debate about convergence developed around the year 2000 in the context of political activities and discussions about nanotechnology in the USA. It gyrates about interactions between Nano-, Bio-, Information- and Neurotechnologies and adjacent areas of research and development. On the one hand the debate is characterised by far-reaching technological visions – especially of "Human Enhancement" (cf. the current TAB-newsletter No 33) – that are contested in research, politics and the interested public. On the other hand tendencies of the establishment of the new concept of convergence can be observed, particularly with a view to the European Union but also in Germany, the USA and other countries.

      In the report the background of the development of the convergence debate, the visions that circulate in this debate, the lines of political-societal and ethical conflict that become apparent, the natural scientific and technological pertinence of convergence processes and the political activities are being highlighted by means of an extensive international comparison bolstered by a wealth of material presented. On the basis of this examination of the topic, options for political action and further needs for research are identified.

      Bibliographical references
      Christopher Coenen
      Konvergierende Technologien und Wissenschaften. Der Stand der Debatte und politischen Aktivitäten zu "Converging Technologies"
      TAB Background Paper No 16, March 2008, Full Report (only PDF document to download and only in German), [Summary in englisch]

      Base Analyses "Opportunities and Challenges facing new Energy Crops" now available for download

      The base analyses now available (only) for download are the results of the first phase of the TA-project "Opportunities and Challenges facing new Energy Crops". They provide an overview (as of end of 2007) of the state of knowledge, controversial assessments and open questions regarding the cultivation and utilisation of energy crops. The manifold alternatives reaching from the selection of plants and agricultural cultivation techniques to different conversion pathways to the use as end-energies heat, electricity or fuel are described. Analysed in-depth are the breeding of energy plants and the existing goals and political measures for the expansion of bio-energy. On the basis of an analysis of the status of current research and the evaluation of scenario studies the choice for the focus of investigation for the second phase of the project is derived. It is devoted to the "Dimensions of an environment-friendly energy plant production", the "Expansion of energy plant utilisation and competition about land-use - national and international" and the question of "Certification of biogenous energy carriers". A first "report from the workbench" in the current TAB-Newsletter indicates, that an aggravated competition between the use of bio-energy and food production is not necessarily resulting, provided that all involved stakeholders act with caution.

      Bibliographical references
      Rolf Meyer, Armin Grunwald, Christine Rösch, Arnold Sauter
      Opportunities and Challenges facing new Energy Crops
      Base Analyses
      TAB Working Report No 121, December 2007, Full Report (only PDF document to download/no Printversion and only in German)

June 2008

      A new issue (No 33) of the TAB-newsletter has been released! Human Enhancement on the agenda?

      In this TAB-newsletter current and future developments and consequences of so-called "anthropotechnologies" – pharmaceutical and medical products, methods and strategies with the aim of enhancing and increasing human cognitive and physical performance or capacities. The sceptical question of Descartes, a French philosopher of the 17th century, which possibilities there are for medicine to make the human being "more sage and dexterous", is raised in turn for some exemplary development trends that reach beyond medicine into everyday life. 

      In the thematic focus scientific-technological developments on the one hand and societal structures and trends on the other hand are depicted that are closely interrelated: "Doping in professional and amateur sport", "Pharmacological neuro-interventions in everyday life" and "Brave new performance society" (Human Enhancement).

      The presented technological developments have in common, that they break out of limited contexts to intrude new areas – out of applications with strict therapeutic indications into manifold utilisation occasions without clinical pictures, or out of organised professional sport into amateur and leisure sport. Thereby the imperatives of the competitive and performance society appear as  major drivers of this frontier crossing.  Apart from this they have in common, that the central development impetus comes from private sector laboratories and the diffusion takes place according to supply and demand.

      In addition the TAB-newsletter No 33 presents information about the current TA-project "Opportunities and challenges facing new energy crops" and about the completed TA-project "Internet communication in and with developing countries". Another contribution reflects the challenges and success criteria of "eLearning in Schools" which has been analysed by TAB in a recently completed monitoring. First results of the innovation report "Biomedical innovations and clinical research" are reported. The analysis is expected to be finalised this summer. Another contribution about the TAB future report "Ubiquitous computing" gives an informative image of the press coverage about this subject.

      Furthermore the current issue informs on the attendance which TAB-reports receive in the Bundestag, new publications and two visits of European guests at TAB. A Swedish delegation visited TAB to discuss the long standing positive experience of TAB in parliamentary TA and to make the results useful in the creation of a TA-unit at the Swedish Parliament. On March 18 the vice-president of the TA office of the French Parliament visited TAB to consider differences and similarities of parliamentary TA in the two countries.

      The electronic TAB-newsletter No. 33 can be downloaded [PDF file] from the TAB website. Past editions can be found at http://www.tab.fzk.de/de/tabbrief.htm.

      The printed TAB-newsletter can also be ordered from the secretariat free of charge – please send an e-mail buero@tab.fzk.de or Fax (030/28 491 - 119) – indicating single issue or regular subscription. You can also sign up to be informed of publication of the next issue by e-mail.

      Gene doping – from Phantom to real threat?

      The phantom "gene doping" has emerged in the context of far-reaching goals and visions in the field of human genome research. Applications in gene diagnostics and -therapy have been projected onto the sports world, in which there exists a long and unbroken tradition of doping. Because of this tradition it seems plausible that there is –in an illegal and treacherous surround – a particular willingness to apply highly risky and medically barely examined means and practices to specifically increase the performance in sports, despite it being interdicted and on pain of far-reaching penalties, also via manipulation of gene activity. Being a novel quality of doping, gene doping could not only undermine the control- and sanction-system in sports, but also the principles of fairness and equal opportunities. Against this background and on initiative of the Sport Committee of the German Bundestag, TAB has addressed the issue if, how and where the phantom gene doping could take shape.

      The TAB report "gene doping" assents to the broad definition of gene doping issued by the World Anti-Doping Agency. From the perspective of possible abuse for performance enhancement in sport, a detailed overview is provided on the one hand of the state of biological-medical research of gene- and cell-therapeutic methods but also of techniques for a targeted manipulation of gene expression by highly specific drugs. The report aims to respond to following key questions: From which scientific insights could gene doping draw and to what extent are risks assessable? Where will be the gateways into professional and popular sports, which challenges have to be met by doping analytics and how can be reacted against possible gene doping with the aid of prohibition- and controlstructures? In addition to these thematic points of view, gene doping is also put in perspective to societal trends and patterns. It is being asked which patterns and dispositions of behaviour play a role on the level of athletes, and how gene doping as deviant individual behaviour on the societal level is influenced by different contexts and actors. Building on this broad analysis approach, that integrates for the first time different research perspectives, options for action that are available already today are derived in order to avert gene doping, at the least to delay and confine its diffusion.

      Bibliographical references
      Katrin Gerlinger, Thomas Petermann, Arnold Sauter
      Gene doping
      TAB working report No. 124, May 2008 [Summary]
May 2008

      Storage of Greenhouse Gases in the Subsoil

      For an effective climate protection the worldwide emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere have to be reduced rigorously. In addition to the well known strategies – rational use of energy and energy savings as well as substitution of fossil energy carriers that are detrimental to the climate with less CO2-intensive energy sources e.g. natural gas and particularly renewable energies – recently the possibility is increasingly discussed to collect CO2 that is formed in power stations and industrial facilities and to store it in the subsoil (Carbon Capture and Storage, CCS).

      The TAB-report highlights the current state and the perspectives for further development of this technology, which could be mature for large-scale application in about 15 to 20 years. The technology chain consists of the separation of the CO2 at the point of formation, e.g. at a coal power station, its processing and transportation via ship or pipeline to the place of deposition and its injection in geological formations, that are suitable for permanent storage. The current state of knowledge regarding the potentials, the risks and environmental impacts is presented. The costs and the energy demand along the process chain are discussed. Provided the technological feasibility can be demonstrated, the CCS-technology can only be realised if it can be integrated into the energy system and it can be made competitive with other options to mitigate CO2 (energy efficiency, renewable energies). It is essential that a high degree of public acceptance can be assured from the onset. Hence proposals are developed here how a public debate on the topic CCS can be initiated. In addition, options for action are identified to create an appropriate regulatory framework.

      Bibliographical references
      Reinhard Grünwald
      CO2-Capture and Storage at Power Stations
      TAB working report No. 120, November 2007 [Summary]

April 2008

      eLearning in School – Potentials and challenges

      In international comparisons of education like PISA, leading countries often also show a higher media competence. From this it could be deduced, that an intensive deployment of computers in teaching and learning and the respective success in schooling do cross-fertilise. However because the underlying didactic conceptions, the level of education of the parents, the context outside school and many other aspects are registered only to a limited extend in such benchmarking studies, this correlation cannot be unambiguously verified. In addition the concepts of internet based modular schooling activities have seldom been analysed. This deficit motivated a specific need for investigation by TAB.

      The report analyses the added value in terms of knowledge, competences and education that the deployment of eLearnig can generate for the individual, lecturer and learner alike. Initiatives and concepts of the utilisation of new media, pertinent results of the latest research, and the relevance and potentials of eLearning in German schools for future-oriented patterns of education are described in detail. The results of this analysis are subjected to a comparison with international activities and experiences. Hereby the focus is directed to strategies for the implementation of eLearning at schools in the United Kingdom, in Switzerland and in Finland. Based on this, central factors, guidelines, potentials and toe-holds for a development orientated towards the needs and requirements in schools are identified and respective options for action for education, research and policy are derived. 

      Bibliographical references
      Christoph Revermann, Peter Georgieff, Simone Kimpeler
      Use of Media and eLearning in Schools
      TAB working report No. 122, December 2007 [Summary]

March 2008

      Is gene doping raring to go? Results of a TAB-project are presented at a public event in the German Bundestag.

      More and more advanced biomolecular techniques and insights into the functioning of genes and cells will in all likelihood lead to the development of new substances and methods, which can contribute to a novel "quality" of doping. The increasing complexity of the possibilities to influence the activity of genes with the aim of increasing the performance of the body will be accompanied by difficulties to provide evidence for illicit acts of doping. Even though the contours of the diffusion and application of gene doping are still blurred, there are challenges ahead both for the control and sanction system of organised sports and the legal norms of the state.

      In the light of the possible explosiveness and the necessity that the legislator confronts the problem at an early stage, the Sport Committee has requested an enquiry of the thematic complex "gene doping" from the Committee on Education, Research and Technology Assessment.

      The Office of Technology Assessment at the German Parliament (TAB), being the scientific advise centre of the German Bundestag, has conducted the investigation. Central findings will be presented to the Parliament and the general public and discussed on 12 March 2008, 14.00-16.30 hrs in a public session.

      »Gene doping« - Documentation of principal findings


February 2008

      The internet and modern ICT in Africa - New options for the cooperation with developing countries?

      In this decade there is an increasing discussion – against the background of the boom of mobile telephony and the internet – how new information and communication technologies (ICT) can contribute to the improvement of the living conditions in developing countries. What can be said with a view to sub-Saharan Africa and options for action in development aid policy?

      The TAB working report examines the topic "ICT4D" (ICT for Development) from different perspectives: It discusses how the balance of ICT4D turns out in general up to now and shows which particular starting conditions persist in sub-Saharan Africa. Focus of the study is an analysis and detailed description of modes and possibilities of utilisation of the internet and other modern ICT in this world region. In the spotlight are applications in the areas democracy, governmental action, civil society and political public, economy and trade as well as education, research and technology development. Among the results of the report are proposals meant as input to the discussion regarding the strategic orientation of the German policy towards the topic ICT4D and a number of options for action for cooperation with Africa in this realm.

      Bibliographical references
      Christopher Coenen, Ulrich Riehm
      Internet communication in and with developing countries - Opportunities for development cooperation - the example of Africa
      TAB working report No. 118, June 2007


      What future for what work?

      In the globalised knowledge society the German economy has to adapt continuously to the requirements of the market and the scientific-technological change. Both the further scientification and mechanisation of production and the emergence of integrated world markets bring about a considerable change in the significance and forms of work and employment. The first Future Report of the Office of Technology Assessment of the German Bundestag (TAB) analyses, which changes the employment in manufacturing industrial enterprises will be subjected to in this context. To this end, firstly significant potential development paths of industry employment, which result from the changing requirements of the further increasing internationalisation and the "inner tertiarisation" of industrial enterprises, are described. Secondly the accordingly modified forms of organisation and work of the companies and their possible impacts on industry employment are analysed. Thirdly three exemplary technology threads, which can be considered future key technologies, are discussed with respect to their potential effects on issues relevant to employment. These are: biotechnology, nanotechnology and the concept of "ambient intelligence".

      One central result is the realisation of a double dilemma: on the one hand in the future the demand for simple jobs and workings requiring only little know how will be even less than today. On the other hand the rising demand for graduates of universities and technical colleges especially in engineering, natural sciences and economics will be increasingly harder to meet because of changing market requirements (globalisation, tertiarisation) and due to new organisation forms in businesses.

      Against the background of the developments outlined above, options for action for politics in the areas of education, economy, support of medium sized businesses and employment are discussed.

      Bibliographical references
      Steffen Kinkel, Michael Friedewald, Bärbel Hüsing, Gunter Lay, Ralf Lindner
      The future of work – Structures and trends of industry employment
      TAB working report No. 113, January 2007 [Summary]

      Neurosciences - promising and disturbing

      In recent years the neurosciences have made possible – through augmented methods and approaches – both new insights into the functioning of the brain and previously unknown prospects for targeted interventions into its functions. From this arise not only new chances for an improved treatment of diseases. New approaches for the manipulation of brain functions by medication and the development of Brain-machine-interfaces brings perspectives within reach to enhance and expand human abilities – with hardly foreseeable consequences for society. In addition our self-conception as individuals who act responsibly and are free to chose is confronted by theses of leading neuroscientists. Are mental processes, as is claimed, merely the reflex of neural activity and is our free will only an illusion staged by our brain.

      This volume reviews the current state of the scientific debate in the most significant areas of the neurosciences and provides a comprehensive overview of the pressing issues for the present and future society that are raised by brain research.

      Bibliographical references
      Leonhard Hennen, Reinhard Grünwald, Christoph Revermann, Arnold Sauter
      Insights and interventions into the brain - The challenge of society by the neurosciences
      edition sigma, Berlin 2008, ISBN 978-3-8360-8124-5
      (also TAB working report No. 117, April 2007 [Summary])

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Status: 2010-01-13


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