Disparate perceptions and conceptual frameworks of environment and the relationship between humans and nature often lead to confusion, constraints on co-operation and collaboration and even conflict when society tries to deal with today's urgent and complex environment research and policy challenges. Such disparities in perception and "world view" are driven by many factors. They include differences in culture, religion, ethical frameworks, scientific methodologies and approaches, disciplines, political, social and philosophical traditions, life styles and consumption patterns as well as alternative economic paradigms. Distribution of poverty or wealth between north and south may thus be seen as consequence of the above mentioned disparities, which is a challenge for it's universal reasoned evaluation. This volume discusses a wide range of factors influencing "Environment across Cultures" with a view to identifying ways and means to better understand, reflect and manage such disparities within future global environmental research and policy agendas for bridging the gap between ecology and economy as well as between societies. The book is based upon the results of a scientific symposium on this topic and covers the following sections: Cross Cultural Perception of Environment; Ethics and Nature; Environment, Sustainability and Society. Corresponding contributions were made by well-known scientific authors representing different cultural spheres in accordance with the inter-cultural approach of this effort.

The Europiiische Akademie is concerned with the study of scientific and technolog ical advances for the individual, society and the natural environment. The work of the academy is interdisciplinary drawing on relevant academic disciplines so far as they can inform the debate on consequences and suggest solutions. This book is dedicated to the issue of Functional Foods, a rather topical issue with important ramifications for the overall quality of life. It is the result of the Europiiische Akademie's working group "Functional Foods" which worked from January 2001 to June 2003. Since the times of Hippocrates, we view "food as our medicine, and medicine as our food"; a view that is confirmed by nowadays science which agrees that diet is related to health, well-being and the prevention of disease. At the same time, food related diseases have reached epidemic proportions in western societies while obe sity is spreading rapidly in all parts and strata of modern society. The cost for the health system is significant while the reduction in quality of life is immeasurable."

The Europaische Akademie Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler GmbH is concerned with the scientific study ofthe consequences of scientific and technological advance for the individual, society and the natural environment and, therefore, not least with the study of consequences of recent developments in life-sciences and medical disci- plines. The Europaische Akademie intends to contribute to find a rational way for society to deal with the consequences of scientific progress. This aim is mainly realised by proposing recommendations for options of action with long-term social acceptance. The work of the Europaische Akademie mostly takes place in tempo- rary interdisciplinary project groups, whose members are recognised scientists from European universities and other independent institutes. In the light of recent discussions on the validity of scientific assumptions con- cerning the extrapolation ofharmful effects into the low-dose range the Europais- che Akademie set up a project on "Lew-Dose Exposures in the Environment their Risk Assessments and Regulatory Processes" in January 2001. Experts ofradiobi- ology, toxicology, medical epidemiology, modelling,jurisprudence, psychology and philosophy from different European countries wcre brought together to discuss cur- rent scientific developments in environmental standard setting and risk evaluation of substances and ionising radiation at very low doses in order to ensure rational, efficient, and fair decisions. I am glad that by means ofthis memorandum, that continues our work on envi- ronmental standards and after our recommendations with respect to the regulation ofcombined agents we can now focus on the effects and the regulation ofharmful agents in the very low-dose range.

'Enabling Social Europe' examines how the paradigm of the 'enabling welfare state' might offer a new perspective for European social policy in the decades to come. The 'enabling' concept is perceived as going beyond that of mere 'activation', thus also embracing policies aimed at increasing personal autonomy, individual responsibility and social inclusion by endowing individuals with the resources and capabilities needed to manage and balance their life courses in a better way.

The study is distinguished by a unique collaboration of social and economic policy experts coming from a wide range of disciplines: economics, law, sociology, political science, and philosophy. The authors seek to shed new light on whether European social policy ought to play a role in the future and, if so, what sort of role that could be. They convincingly argue that despite an implicit normative consensus on the 'European social model', there is still room for a multifaceted world in which welfare regimes can maintain their own path-dependent ways of achieving a fair and just society with a high level of welfare for all.

The empirical part of the book contains an appraisal of policies and reforms with a view to the 'enabling welfare state' approach in four important policy areas: health care, old-age security, family policy, and poverty prevention. Within each sector, the authors compare the policies and practices of two countries attributable to different regime types: Germany and the United Kingdom, Poland and Germany, Finland and Estonia, and Belgium and Denmark.

This book is highly recommendable not only for scholars and policymakers active in this field, but also for students of welfare and labour economics, sociology, social policy, political science and law.

The study tackles the subject in a new and unique way: Due to the fact that the borders between classical academic disciplines disappear at the nanoscale, a truly interdisciplinary approach is chosen. A functional definition of nanotechnology is developed by the authors as basis for the further sections of the study. The most important results enable recommendations with respect to scientific progress, industrial relevance, economic potential, educational needs, potential adverse health effects and philosophical aspects of nanotechnology. The book addresses the relevant decision levels, media, and academia.

The study tackles the subject in a new and unique way: Due to the fact that the borders between classical academic disciplines disappear at the nanoscale, a truly interdisciplinary approach is chosen. A functional definition of nanotechnology is developed by the authors as basis for the further sections of the study. The most important results enable recommendations with respect to scientific progress, industrial relevance, economic potential, educational needs, potential adverse health effects and philosophical aspects of nanotechnology. The book addresses the relevant decision levels, media, and academia.

a ~Enabling Social Europea (TM) examines how the paradigm of the a ~enabling welfare statea (TM) might offer a new perspective for European social policy in the decades to come. The a ~enablinga (TM) concept is perceived as going beyond that of mere a ~activationa (TM), thus also embracing policies aimed at increasing personal autonomy, individual responsibility and social inclusion by endowing individuals with the resources and capabilities needed to manage and balance their life courses in a better way.

The study is distinguished by a unique collaboration of social and economic policy experts coming from a wide range of disciplines: economics, law, sociology, political science, and philosophy. The authors seek to shed new light on whether European social policy ought to play a role in the future and, if so, what sort of role that could be. They convincingly argue that despite an implicit normative consensus on the a ~European social modela (TM), there is still room for a multifaceted world in which welfare regimes can maintain their own path-dependent ways of achieving a fair and just society with a high level of welfare for all.

The empirical part of the book contains an appraisal of policies and reforms with a view to the a ~enabling welfare statea (TM) approach in four important policy areas: health care, old-age security, family policy, and poverty prevention. Within each sector, the authors compare the policies and practices of two countries attributable to different regime types: Germany and the United Kingdom, Poland and Germany, Finland and Estonia, and Belgium and Denmark.

This book is highly recommendable not only for scholars and policymakers active in thisfield, but also for students of welfare and labour economics, sociology, social policy, political science and law.

The Europaische Akademie zur Erforschung von Folgen wissenschaftlich-techni scher Entwicklungen Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler GmbH (european academy) is con cerned with the scientific study of the consequences of scientific and technological advance for the individual and social life and for the natural environment. The main focus is to examine foreseeable mid-and long-term processes that are especially influenced by natural-and engineering sciences and the medical disciplines. The academy fulfills this task by organizing interdisciplinary expert discussions. Another important issue of the work of the Europaische Akademie concerns the methodology of Technology Assessment as a general issue. This is the main reason that the european academy organized during the past two years a project funded by the European Commission on Technology Assessment. Methods and Impact (TAMI). Together with partners from all over Europe a common understanding of what Tech nology Assessment (TA) is supposed to do was developed. Most importantly it was acknowledged that the core of any TA activity has to be a sound scientific under standing of the relevant phenomena. Communication then is of cordial importance to reach the relevant decision makers as well as the general public. It is true that this phase of the TA process has been treated with too little attention for many years. The communication processes between scientific advisers and policy makers have hence to be further scrutinized."

The ever-increasing release of harmful agents due to human activities has led in some areas of the world to heavy pollution. In order to protect human health and the environment, environmental standards that shall limit the release and the concentration of those toxic agents in the environment and hence the exposure to it have to be established. The related assessment and decision-making procedures have to be based on solid scientific data about the effects and mechanisms of these agents as well as on ethical, social and economic aspects. For risk evaluation, the knowledge of the dose response curve is an essential prerequisite. Dose responses without a threshold dose are most critical in this connection. Such dose responses are assumed for mutagenic and carcinogenic effects, which, therefore, dominate also the discussion in this book. In the environmentally important low dose range, risk estimation can only be achieved by extrapolation from higher doses with measurable effects. The extrapolation is accompanied with uncertainties which makes risk evaluation as well as risk communication frequently problematic. In order to ensure rational efficient and fair decisions beyond a sound scientific assessment the dialogue between disciplines, with the affected people and with the general public is necessary. In this book, the whole range of relevant and essential aspects of risk evaluation and standard setting is addressed. Starting with the ethical foundations, the sound analysis of recent scientific findings sets the frame for further reflections by theory of cognition, psychosocial sciences, and jurisprudence. The authors end up with concluding recommendations for coping with the recentproblems of standard setting in the field of environmentally relevant low doses. The book is designed to a readership of scientists, legislators, administrators, and the interested public.

The Europiiische Akademie is concerned with the study of scientific and technolog ical advances for the individual, society and the natural environment. The work of the academy is interdisciplinary drawing on relevant academic disciplines so far as they can inform the debate on consequences and suggest solutions. This book is dedicated to the issue of Functional Foods, a rather topical issue with important ramifications for the overall quality of life. It is the result of the Europiiische Akademie's working group "Functional Foods" which worked from January 2001 to June 2003. Since the times of Hippocrates, we view "food as our medicine, and medicine as our food"; a view that is confirmed by nowadays science which agrees that diet is related to health, well-being and the prevention of disease. At the same time, food related diseases have reached epidemic proportions in western societies while obe sity is spreading rapidly in all parts and strata of modern society. The cost for the health system is significant while the reduction in quality of life is immeasurable."

Disparate perceptions and conceptual frameworks of environment and the relationship between humans and nature often lead to confusion, constraints on co-operation and collaboration and even conflict when society tries to deal with todaya (TM)s urgent and complex environment research and policy challenges. Such disparities in perception and "world view" are driven by many factors. They include differences in culture, religion, ethical frameworks, scientific methodologies and approaches, disciplines, political, social and philosophical traditions, life styles and consumption patterns as well as alternative economic paradigms. Distribution of poverty or wealth between north and south may thus be seen as consequence of the above mentioned disparities, which is a challenge for ita (TM)s universal reasoned evaluation. This volume discusses a wide range of factors influencing "Environment across Cultures" with a view to identifying ways and means to better understand, reflect and manage such disparities within future global environmental research and policy agendas for bridging the gap between ecology and economy as well as between societies. The book is based upon the results of a scientific symposium on this topic and covers the following sections: Cross Cultural Perception of Environment; Ethics and Nature; Environment, Sustainability and Society. Corresponding contributions were made by well-known scientific authors representing different cultural spheres in accordance with the inter-cultural approach of this effort.

The Europaische Akademie zur Erforschung von Folgen wissenschaftlich-techni scher Entwicklungen Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler GmbH (european academy) is con cerned with the scientific study of the consequences of scientific and technological advance for the individual and social life and for the natural environment. The main focus is to examine foreseeable mid-and long-term processes that are especially influenced by natural-and engineering sciences and the medical disciplines. The academy fulfills this task by organizing interdisciplinary expert discussions. Another important issue of the work of the Europaische Akademie concerns the methodology of Technology Assessment as a general issue. This is the main reason that the european academy organized during the past two years a project funded by the European Commission on Technology Assessment. Methods and Impact (TAMI). Together with partners from all over Europe a common understanding of what Tech nology Assessment (TA) is supposed to do was developed. Most importantly it was acknowledged that the core of any TA activity has to be a sound scientific under standing of the relevant phenomena. Communication then is of cordial importance to reach the relevant decision makers as well as the general public. It is true that this phase of the TA process has been treated with too little attention for many years. The communication processes between scientific advisers and policy makers have hence to be further scrutinized."

Recent advances in techniques and understanding in the fields of genetics, embryology and reproductive biology have opened up new ways to treat a wide range of medical problems. They range from new options for infertility treatment and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis to stem-cell-based therapies for debilitating diseases. Since all these approaches involve the manipulation of human gametes, embryos or embryonic cells, and could also permit more contentious uses, they have stimulated a controversial debate as to what aims are desirable and to what extent experiments on human embryos are morally permissible, if permissible at all. The situation is further complicated by the fact that scientific projects are increasingly realized through international co-operation and that patients are increasingly ready to seek morally contentious medical treatment wherever it is available and thus to bypass national legislation. In view of this situation the Europaische Akademie assembled a temporary interdisciplinary project group in which scientists from universities and non-university research organizations in Europe working on the relevant subjects were brought together and charged with establishing a knowledge base and providing suggestions for long-term solutions that would be acceptable for society. Presented here are the results of this project, ranging from a discussion of the theoretical and practical possibilities in human-embryo experimentation and its alternatives in research on adult stem cells, a comparison of the situations and prospects of regulation of embryo research in Europe, a survey of European public attitudes, and a philosophical analysis of the arguments and argumentative strategies used in the debate."

The Europaische Akademie zur Erforschung von Folgen wissenschaftlich-tech- scher Entwicklungen Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler GmbH is concerned with the sci- tific study of the consequences of scientific and technological advance for indiv- ual and societal life and for the natural environment. The main focus is the exa- nation of mid- and long-term processes that are especially influenced by natur- and engineering sciences and the medical disciplines. As an independent scientific institution, the Europaische Akademie pursues a dialogue with politics and society. The work of the Europaische Akademie is mainly conducted by temporary int- disciplinary project teams that develop recommendations for al long-term reliable science and technology policy. Above that, the Europaische Akademie organises international conferences on timely issues that are connected to its research p- gramme. The present volume aims at attracting attention to moral problems caused by the globalisation of medicine and the life-sciences. Finding acceptable and re- able solutions for these bioethical problems will to a large extent determine the quality of our living together in an increasingly small world."

Verkehrsl rm ist l stig und leistungsmindernd; er birgt dar ber hinaus auch gesundheitliche Risiken. Die kontinuierliche Zunahme des Verkehrs entfacht daher gesellschaftliche Konflikte um Mobilit t trotz bestehender Regulierungen.

Die Europ ische Akademie hat im Rahmen eines interdisziplin ren Projekts die rationale Beurteilung der L rmrisiken und M glichkeiten ihrer Reduktion vorgenommen, ohne den gesellschaftlichen Nutzen von Mobilit t aus dem Auge zu verlieren. Die Autoren bieten Vorschl ge f r weitergehende Regulierungen und pl dieren u.a. daf r, Ruhe als sch tzenswertes Rechtsgut zu verankern.

The Europaische Akademie zur Erforschung von Folgen wissenschaftlich-tech- scher Entwicklungen Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler GmbH is concerned with the sci- tific study of the consequences of scientific and technological advance for indiv- ual and societal life and for the natural environment. The main focus is the exa- nation of mid- and long-term processes that are especially influenced by natur- and engineering sciences and the medical disciplines. As an independent scientific institution, the Europaische Akademie pursues a dialogue with politics and society. The work of the Europaische Akademie is mainly conducted by temporary int- disciplinary project teams that develop recommendations for al long-term reliable science and technology policy. Above that, the Europaische Akademie organises international conferences on timely issues that are connected to its research p- gramme. The present volume aims at attracting attention to moral problems caused by the globalisation of medicine and the life-sciences. Finding acceptable and re- able solutions for these bioethical problems will to a large extent determine the quality of our living together in an increasingly small world."

Recent advances in techniques and understanding in the fields of genetics, embryology and reproductive biology have opened up new ways to treat a wide range of medical problems. They range from new options for infertility treatment and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis to stem-cell-based therapies for debilitating diseases. Since all these approaches involve the manipulation of human gametes, embryos or embryonic cells, and could also permit more contentious uses, they have stimulated a controversial debate as to what aims are desirable and to what extent experiments on human embryos are morally permissible, if permissible at all. The situation is further complicated by the fact that scientific projects are increasingly realized through international co-operation and that patients are increasingly ready to seek morally contentious medical treatment wherever it is available and thus to bypass national legislation. In view of this situation the Europaische Akademie assembled a temporary interdisciplinary project group in which scientists from universities and non-university research organizations in Europe working on the relevant subjects were brought together and charged with establishing a knowledge base and providing suggestions for long-term solutions that would be acceptable for society. Presented here are the results of this project, ranging from a discussion of the theoretical and practical possibilities in human-embryo experimentation and its alternatives in research on adult stem cells, a comparison of the situations and prospects of regulation of embryo research in Europe, a survey of European public attitudes, and a philosophical analysis of the arguments and argumentative strategies used in the debate."