From Science Line: The pharmaceutical industry’s great giveaway to the people of Ireland is not quite as generous as it has successfully managed to spin.
Although the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) claims to have cut the cost of 300 drugs by 40 per cent, the lobby group has displayed all the cunning of a sheep [...]

From Science Line: Fianna Fail’s and the Green Party’s recently revised programme for government is liberally sprinkled with references to the smart economy.
It will, the document confidently asserts, take us to a smart new world, in which we will be smart and work smart – at sustainable jobs supported by smart capital. We will [...]

From Science Line: It’s hard to know whether pity, derision or even mild annoyance is the most appropriate response to Tanaiste Mary Coughlan’s recent gaffe, when she confused Albert Einstein with Charles Darwin.
Anyone can make a slip of the tongue – presuming that that is indeed what occurred. One strongly suspects, however, that the minister [...]

From Science Line:
Now that Ireland finally has a large-scale effort in systems biology underway, maybe it’s time to establish a small-scale effort in building genetically engineered machines.
The MIT-hosted International Genetically Engineered Machine competition (iGEM) for students is now in its seventh year – the final jamboree kicks off at Cambridge, Mass., on 30 Oct. However, [...]

From Science Line:
Europe’s efforts to build a knowledge-based society are doomed because of its inability to embrace innovation. Instead, according to Brussels-based scientific public affairs consultant David Zaruk, we are building an “influence-based society”, in which policy is determined not by scientific considerations but by “eco-religious fundamentalists”.
Zaruk sets out his stall in an extensive and [...]