The ASEAN-EU LEMLIFE Project:

An Overview

Soraj HongladaromDepartment of Philosophy

Chulalongkorn University

The First Workshop of the ASEAN-EU LEMLIFE Project:

Bioethics, Biolaw and Biomanagement in the ASEAN and EU Regions

Sasin Graduate School of Business Administration, Chulalongkorn University, January 24 to 26, 2004

Legal, Ethical and Management Aspects of the LIFE Sciences and Biotechnology

Outline

• History of the Project• The ASEAN-EU University Network Programme

(AUNP)• Rationale• Participants• Activities• Output• Identifying issues in bioethics that need to be

investigated

History of the Project

• Existing Network– The Dialogue and Promotion of Bioethics in

Asia (supported by the Japanese Ministry of Science and headed by Prof. Ryuichi Ida)

– Existing European Networks, namely the ENSLC - Network and BioTethics.

• Contact between these two networks– Many members of the two networks have had

previous contacts.

History (contd.)

• My visit to Germany (supported by the DAAD)

• Proposal written during May, 2003

The ASEAN-EU University Network Programme

• This is an initiative of the European Union to promote closer collaboration among universities in the ASEAN and EU Regions.

• There are three components: Human Resource Development, Curriculum Development and Common Applied Research.

• This project belongs to the Curriculum Development category.

Summary of the Project

• The project aims at creating a collaborative, interdisciplinary and international course of study, eventually leading to a master’s degree program, that combines the legal, ethical and economic and management aspects of the life sciences.

• Target groups: Organizations dealing with health care, biotech and science policy and others who need understanding and training in the legal, ethical and management aspects of the life sciences.

Summary (contd.)

• Main activities: Organizing workshops, joint research, production and dissemination of materials.

• Project duration: Two years.

Rationale

• Growing need for awareness and understanding of bioethical issues.

• So far there has been relatively few attempts to investigate the legal, ethical and management aspects of the life sciences.

• Need for conceptual tools with which to think clearly about the impacts of biotechnology.

Objectives

• To contribute to the effort to comprehend and to cope with advances in the life sciences and biotechnology, especially in the Asian context.

• To promote better mutual understanding among the EU and the ASEAN.

Participating Institutions

• Chulalongkorn University

• Vietnam National University

• Lüneburg University/European Academy of Economy and Environment

• University of Philippines

Participating Institutions (contd.)

• Lancaster University

• Universiti Sains Malaysia

• Jena University

• University of the Basque Country

Project Participants

• Chulalongkorn– Dr. Somparn Promta– Dr. Siriyupa Roongrerngsuke– Dr. Sudham Yoonaidharma– Dr. Pareena Supjariyavatr– Dr. Sarote Pornprabha– Dr. Soraj Hongladarom, ASEAN Co-ordinator

Project Participants

• Prof. Dr. Jürgen Simon, European Co-ordinator• Dr. Brigitte Jansen• Prof. Dr. Carlos María Romeo-Casabona• Prof. Dr. Ruth Chadwick• Prof. Dr. Le Dinh Luong• Prof. Dr. Chan Chee Khoon• Prof. Dr. Leonardo de Castro• Prof. Dr. Nikolaus Knoepffler

Activities

• Four Workshops– First in Bangkok (this one)– Second in Lüneburg (middle of 2004)– Third in Lancaster (beginning of 2005)– Last one also in Bangkok (end of 2005)

• Training Sessions– To be conducted in 2005

Output

• Course material in book form– Biotechnology in Society: Ethical, Legal and

Management Issues from ASEAN and EU.– Proceedings of the four workshops

• Website

• Newsletters

• Special Issues in Academic Journals

Connection with Other Agencies

• The project aims at developing programs of study that serve the need of the community for personnel capable of understanding the social and cultural ramifications of biotechnology and life sciences.

• Thus it supplements the works of science policy bodies, such as the NSTDA, for their personnel needs.

Connection (contd.)

• The legal profession in Thailand also needs lawyers who are knowledgeable in these issues.

• Attempts to formulate adequate legislation have been hampered by this shortage.

• Close partnership between universities and public agencies (such as NSTDA) not so prevalent in Thailand.

Challenges

• How to develop a course of study in these areas that are inclusive of many disciplines, yet maintain academic rigor?

• How should the program be responsive to the needs of the societies in ASEAN?

• How should it relate to existing programs elsewhere, esp. in the EU?

Discussions

• Each discussion session will be preceded by two presentations, one from a representative in the ASEAN and one from the EU.

• Then it will be followed by free form discussion.

• One possible question is: What are the most important emerging topics for further investigation?

Discussions (contd.)

• Another question: What role can culture play in these investigations?

• Of course, please supply your own questions, input, comments, criticisms, thoughts, etc.

• Thank you very much!