Meeting the person behind the scientist involved in gene technology — summary of the round table discussions

Abstract

The round table discussion took place over two evenings and involved five scientists who are experienced in fields related to heredity and gene technology. They commented on their scientific and personal motives for the work they do. On the first evening the chairman focused his questions on the success side of the story and on the enthusiasm which motivates these individuals in their work in the field of genetic engineering. On the second evening, the dilemmas they face in their work with genetic engineering, the ethical questions and their future goals were discussed. The contrasting perspectives of the participants in these discussions gave a many-sided view of the scientific, ethical, social and personal approaches of people in biotechnology and its associated disciplines. All panellists described vividly the events in their biographies when they became enthusiastic about the efforts of genetic engineering.