An interesting addition to the various agendas surrounding this conference is an open letter from a variety of NGOs concerned about the implications of the technology and the limitations of scientific self governance, which can be read here. I hope some of those involved will be able to present their position in person during the debates on these issues that will take place on the third day of the conference -- I understand there are currently some invitations in the ether.
As I mentioned in a previous post, I'm chairing a session on that third day, which puts me in a position which might be seen as leading to a conflict of interest. For what it's worth, I do think there are issues with journalists reporting on conferences at which they are also participating, but I don't think those issues mean that such reporting is always a no-no, provided that the appropriate disclaimers are in place. But it does mean that I don't think I'm going to express my opinions on these particular issues right now.
This has now been crossposted onto the Nature Newsblog. If moved to comment, please do so there.
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