Chain Reaction Magazine

Chain Reaction Magazine

The July 2014 edition of Chain Reaction – The National Magazine of Friends of the Earth Australia is now available to download.
Brewing bad: engineering new forms of life

Brewing bad: engineering new forms of life

The recent announcement of the creation of the first synthetic yeast chromosome has sent shockwaves through the scientific community. While many external commentators saw the computer design and synthesis of an artificial chromosome as one small step on a long journey...
Synthetic biology: Genetic Engineering Goes Extreme

Synthetic biology: Genetic Engineering Goes Extreme

Exactly twenty years ago the first genetically modified (GM) food entered commercial use, sparking massive controversy, trade fights and resistance from farmers, consumers and workers worldwide. Now the biotech industry is poised for a second assault on the food...
Report shows nanomedicine regulation is inadequate

Report shows nanomedicine regulation is inadequate

A recent report by Health Care Without Harm Europe suggests that existing regulatory frameworks are insufficient to protect human health and the environment from the use of nanotechnology in healthcare. The author of the report – Dr Rye Senjen from the National...