Wellcome Trust, the largest independent charity in the United Kingdom, has just announced that it will support the Debating Science Issues (DSI) project for a fifth consecutive year with a People Award.

DSI is an Ireland-Northern Ireland cross border schools’ science debating competition involving 9 collaborating partners: the Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI) at National University of Ireland Galway, W5 in Belfast, Biomedical Diagnostics Institute (BDI) at Dublin City University, Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, CRANN at Trinity College, CLARITY at UCD, the Centre for Cross Border Studies in Armagh, Cork Institute of Technology and Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre at UCC.

Co-ordinated by REMEDI’s Outreach Officer Danielle Nicholson, this all-Ireland competition encourages young people to engage in debate on the cultural, societal and ethical implications of advances in biomedical science.  Schools taking part initially receive a 3 hour biomedical, bioethical workshop to facilitate discussion on the ethical issues raised by stem cell research, genetically modified food, nanotechnology, health and self-testing kits or flu vaccinations.  School students research further in preparation for the debate motion related to the initial workshop using a Student Pack of six topic guides.  From there, the debate motions circulate so that students debate on an array of controversial topical issues.

The stem cell research strand of Debating Science Issues is one in the EuroStemCell suite of road-tested public engagement tools. Instructions and materials to run the stem cell research workshop and debate competition are updated and currently available.

‘For 2012, we are creating a new topic guide surrounding the funding allocation made to develop treatments and research rare diseases.  We are developing a dedicated DSI website too.’ enthused Danielle Nicholson.

Boston Scientific, Abbott Ireland, Merck- Millipore and Pfizer Ireland sponsor the provincial trophies and prizes.  Forty schools will be involved this year.  Updated Topic Guides will be available for download on our new website.  For information please contact Danielle.Nicholson@nuigalway.ie