The New Biosciences Federation: a major step forward for biology

On 2nd December 2002, the Biosciences Federation was founded as an umbrella organisation having the following key aims:

• To promote liaison, dialogue and interactions within the diverse community of bioscientists on common issues that relate to research and teaching;
• To provide opinion and information to assist the formulation of public policy;
• To promote wide and open debate, involving the wider public where appropriate, about the practical and ethical issues surrounding developments in the biosciences and their applications.

The BSF currently comprises 26 societies and represents over 60,000 UK life scientists.

It has standing committees on:

• Animal Science,
• Education, and
• Sustainability

The Federation ran its first colloquium - "Changes and Challenges - the new curriculum" on 6 October 2003. This addressed issues at the interface between school and university science teaching.

For further information see http://www.bsf.ac.uk