Gordon Brown gives Romanes Lecture at Oxford University

Gordon Brown gives Romanes Lecture at Oxford University; Gordon Brown speech SOT - I am sure we would all agree that having the scientific capacity to do something doesn't necessarily mean that it's right - any more than the risk of technology falling in to evil hands makes the creation of that technology necessarily wrong, the real challenge is to establish in open, reasoned discussion and debate the necessary balance and the effectiveness of the regulations and restrictions that society imposes as a result / We have to make the positive case for science as together we address the great challenges of the world / We can make cutting-edge science the informed ally of moral purpose not - as it often is - the misunderstood enemy of moral principle - It's important we examine such issues as they arise: through the data; through facts not prejudice; and with a full understanding of the social context in which we are operating / Scientists need to recognise the reasonable concerns that others have about what they do, for example, to address the difficult questions around animal testing we've established the National Centre for the "Three Rs" - which promote the replacement, refinement and reduction of the use of animals in research; core principles that seek to minimise the use of animals and maximise the search for alternatives wherever possible reducing or replacing animal testing - and refining any processes and techniques that are used to minimise hurt and harm - More recently, we have faced difficult decisions over the use of stem cells / In the 10 years since James Thomson's discovery, scientists have shown that embryonic stem cells have the potential to help create replacement cells for tissues and organs including the heart, liver and pancreas / Britain is at the forefront of this research and responsible for much of the progress worldwide, we have had a full and open debate in our society - patiently and with full regard for religious concerns - and have so...