I am writing to draw your attention to an international academic conference Regulating Biotechnology, which is taking place in Amsterdam on 27 and 28 May 2004, and which I think should be of interest to you or your colleagues.

A strong international field of speakers drawn from academia, legal practice and the European Commission will discuss how the law should respond to advances in genetic science. Existing European and global regulatory frameworks will also be critically assessed.

An important challenge facing biotechnology law is that it should accommodate technology transendant concerns related to ethics, human rights and, of course, the environment. Such imperatives are often excluded from regulatory processes, causing alienation and dissatisfaction of the general public and in turn adversely affecting the effectiveness of rules. Gunningham and Scott will address this problem, and discuss possible ways out of the impasse.

This discussion then focuses more specifically on human genetics (Brownsword and Burley), food (Van Daele and van der Meulen) and patents (Dutfield and van Overwalle).

In addition to a discussion of future developments in the law, the conference also aims to clarify existing regulatory instruments at European and global level. Particular attention will afforded to the EU regime concerning biotech patents (Gal), food (Abrahams,) and WTO law affecting biodiversity (Street) and GM food (Scott).

Time is reserved for discussion, which will be stimulated by moderators especially invited for the purose.

I very much hope that you will find this an interesting programme, and will draw attention to this event.

Should you require further information, please to not hesitate to contact me or the research assistant, drs. Yvonne ter Horst (y.terhorst@uva.nl).

Yours sincerely,

Han Somsen

(Professor in Biotechnology and Law)