Science and language

The Jakarta Post:Sat, 04/19/2008 12:24 PM|Opinion

Going through the fast development of biological science, Indonesian scientists realize that the development of sciences should go hand in hand with the development of language. As an example, the National Bioethics Commission (KBN) consulted the Language Center of the National Education Ministry (Pusat Bahasa Departemen Pendidikan Nasional) to find the Indonesian term (the translation) for the word "stem cell".
It has been decided that the term could be translated as "sel punca". This little and trivial effort concerning language is very important for Indonesian language in order to keep up with the rapid development of knowledge.

In my opinion, technical terms are very hard to translate. I support the idea about the harmonization of language and science. I hope that this will help our professional translators to cope with such technical problems and likely it will improve the quality of scientific text translated into Indonesian.

This will make Indonesia language more independent and dynamic in transferring knowledge without any misperceptions about special terms or words.

INTAN PERMATASARI
Surakarta, Central Java

Read more...

Persiapan mengikuti pertemuan internasional: contoh dari persiapan menuju Conference of the Parties (COP) dari Convention on Biological Diversity (Rio

Catatan Penyunting:
Untuk dapat mengetahui apa saja yang dibahas, dan bagaimana melakukan pembahasan di tingkat internasional, berikut ini cuplikan dari persiapan pertemuan yang berkenaan dengan ‘ethical code of conduct’ dalam lingkup ‘lingkungan hidup’. Ungkapan di antara tanda kurung ‘[‘ dan ‘]’ adalah pilihan yang diusulkan: AD HOC OPEN-ENDED INTER-SESSIONAL WORKING GROUP ON ARTICLE 8(j) AND RELATED PROVISIONS OF THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
Sixth meeting Montreal, 2-5 November 2009

REVISED DRAFT OF THE ELEMENTS OF AN ETHICAL CODE OF CONDUCT TO ENSURE RESPECT FOR THE CULTURAL AND INTELECTUAL HERITAGE OF INDIGENOUS AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES
Note by the Executive Secretary

INTRODUCTION
In accordance with decision IX/13 G of the Conference of the Parties, the Executive Secretary is circulating herewith, for the consideration of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Inter-Sessional Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions, the draft of the elements of a code of ethical conduct to ensure respect for the cultural and intellectual heritage of indigenous and local communities relevant to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. …
In paragraph 5 of decision IX/13 G, the Conference of the Parties requested the Working Group to further develop the draft elements of a code of ethical conduct and to submit them to the Conference of the Parties at its tenth meeting for its consideration and possible adoption. The Working Group may wish to consider the suggested recommendations contained below for submission to the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties. … …

Section 3 ETHICAL PRINCIPLES
5. [The following ethical principles apply to activities/interactions with indigenous and local communities, relevant to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, including development and/or research proposed or being conducted on sacred sites, culturally significant sites [and lands and waters traditionally occupied or used by indigenous and local communities.]]
Option A
6. The ethical principles below are intended to [facilitate] [acknowledge] the rights of indigenous and local communities to enjoy, protect and pass on to future generations, their cultural and intellectual heritage [relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity] and it is according to these principles that others should engage with indigenous and local communities. Option B
6. The ethical principles below are intended to [facilitate] [acknowledge] the overarching principle, that indigenous and local communities have the right to enjoy, protect and pass on to future generations, their cultural and intellectual heritage [relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity] and it is according to these principles that others should engage with indigenous and local communities.
Option C
6. The ethical principles below suggest the over-arching principle, that indigenous and local community members [are entitled to] to enjoy their culture 6/ and this implies the ability to, if they so desire, pass on their culture [relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity] to future generations, and it is on this basis that others are encouraged to engage with indigenous and local communities. … …


Ada lima (5) prinsip yang dirumuskan untuk dibahas, yaitu:





(1) Respect for existing settlements
7. This principle recognizes the [predominance and] importance of mutually agreed settlements or agreements at national level which exists in many countries and that respect must be applied to such arrangements at all times.
(2) Intellectual property
8. Community and individual concerns over, and claims to, intellectual property relevant to traditional knowledge, innovations and practices related to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity should be acknowledged and addressed in the negotiation with traditional knowledge holders and/or indigenous and local communities, as appropriate, prior to starting activities/interactions . [Knowledge holders should be allowed to retain existing rights, including the determination of intellectual property rights, over their traditional knowledge.]
(3) Non-discrimination
9. The ethics and guidelines for all activities/interactions should be non-discriminatory, taking into account affirmative action, particularly in relation to gender, disadvantaged groups and representation.
(4) [Transparency/full disclosure]
10. Indigenous and local communities should be [fully] informed [to the fullest extent possible] about the nature, scope and purpose of any proposed activities/interactions carried out by others [that may involve the use of their traditional knowledge, innovations and practices related to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity] [, occurring on or likely to impact on, sacred sites and on lands and waters traditionally occupied or used by indigenous and local communities]. [Subject to national law,] this information should be provided in a manner that takes into consideration and actively engages with the body of knowledge and cultural practices of indigenous and local communities.
(5) [Approval] [Free prior informed consent] of the knowledge holders

Cuplikan di atas ini disajikan untuk sekedar memberi gambaran perjalanan pembahasan internasional.

Persoalan kita ialah untuk mendalami proses ini, sehingga kepentingan Indonesia dapat dijaga dan diperjuangkan, sejak dini dan awal.

Kehadiran peserta Indonesia di forum seperti ini memerlukan dukungan analis yang tangguh dan , tentu saja, dana. [setkbn0609]

Read more...

Masters of International Research Bioethics, Monash, 2010

Commencement date: February 2010
3 semesters full-time + 6 semesters part-time
Study mode and course location On-campus (Alfred Hospital, Melbourne) Course description:
This course, offered by the Department of Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine, is an interdisciplinary program covering comparative moral theory, research bioethics in an international setting, quantitative and qualitative research methodology, critical appraisal techniques and relevant law. Particular emphasis is given to ethical issues associated with research in developing countries in the Asia-Pacific Region.
Students will gain a strong theoretical framework, and experience with local ethics committees. This course is currently funded by the Fogarty Institute of the US National Institutes of Health.

Course objectives:
The overall objectives for the course cover four main themes:
1. Basic moral theory, bioethics and the application of bioethical principles and law to research in both domestic and international collaborative contexts
2. Quantitative and qualitative methodology for international health programme planning and evaluation
3. Special issues in international health
4. Practical application of theory and knowledge

Fees: In recognition of the fact that people from both NGOs and from developing countries may wish to undertake this program, we have a special fee policy for this program. Fees are AUS $19,785 for Australian students and AUS $22,650 for international students.

In addition, five fee scholarships and stipends are available to students from developing countries in the Asia/Pacific region.

STUDENTS MUST HAVE AN IELTS OF 7, OR A DEGREE FROM AN ENGLISH SPEAKING COUNTRY TO BE CONSIDERED.
Please contact Dr Deborah Zion: deborah.zion@med.monash.edu.au

Read more...

Angota KBN 2009-2012

1. A. A. Loedin, Prof. Dr. dr.
2. Achmad Suryana, M.S., Prof. Dr. Ir.
3. Agus Firmansyah, SpA(K), Prof. Dr.
4. Agus Purwadianto, S.H., M.Si., SpF., Prof. Dr. dr.
5. Amin Soebandrio, PhD., SpMK., Prof. dr. 6. Amru Hydari Nazif, M.Sc., Dr.
7. Budi Sampurna, S.H., SpF., Prof. Dr.
8. Carolus B. Kusmaryanto, M.A., S.Pd., SCJ., Dr.
9. Dayar Arbain, Apt., Prof. Dr.
10. Dewi Fortuna Khaidir Anwar, M.A., Prof. Dr.
11. Dondin Sayuthi, Prof. Dr.
12. Eko Baroto Waluyo, Prof. Dr.
13. Endang Sukara, Prof. Dr.
14. Farid A. Moeloek, SpOG., Prof. Dr. dr.
15. I. G. P. Wirawan, M.Sc., Prof. Dr. Ir.
16. Irawan Yusuf, Prof. Dr. dr.
17. Kusumo Diwyanto, M.S., PhD., Prof. Ir.
18. M. Amin Abdullah, Prof. Dr.
19. M.K. Tadjoedin, SpAnd., Prof. dr.
20. Miftah Faridl, H. Prof. Dr.
21. Moh. Hisyam, APU., Dr.
22. Nasaruddin Umar, M.A., Prof. Dr.
23. Pratiwi Sudarmono, PhD., SpMK., Prof. Dr.
24. Quraish Shihab, Prof. Dr.
25. Sajid Darmadipura, SpBS (K), Prof. Dr. dr.
26. Siti Fatimah, M.Sc., SpGK., Prof. Dr.
27. Siti Nuramaliati Prijono, Dr.
28. Soegeng Hardyanto, Dr. rer. theol.
29. Soenarto Sastrowijoto. SpTHT., Prof. Dr. dr.
30. Sumardjo Gatot Irianto, Dr. Ir.
31. Sumarno, Prof. Dr.
32. Sutrisno, Dr. Ir.
33. Tien Muchtadi, Prof. Dr. Ir.
34. Umar Anggara Jenie, M.Sc., Apt., Prof. Dr.
35. Widjaja Lukito, PhD., SpGK., dr.

Read more...

Catatan dari Rapat Pleno I Komisi Bioetika Nasional di Jakarta, 2 Juni 2009

Rapat Pleno Pertama Komisi Bioetika Nasional (KBN) 2009-2012 dilaksanakan di Jakarta pada tanggal 2 Juni 2009 dan dipimpin oleh Ketua KBN (lama) Prof. Dr. Umar A. Jenie. Ketua KBN mengingatkan tugas KBN ialah: (1) memajukan telaah masalah yang terkait dengan prinsip-prinsip bioetika, (2) memberi pertimbangan kepada Pemerintah mengenai aspek bioetika dalam penelitian, pengembangan, dan penerapan ilmu pengetahuan dan teknologi yang berbasis pada ilmu-ilmu hayati, dan (3) menyebarluaskan pemahaman umum mengenai bioetika.

Pemilihan Ketua dan Sekretaris KBN Periode 2009-2012 Pemilihan, yang dipimpin oleh Prof. Dr. Amin Soebandrio, dilakukan secara langsung dengan tiap anggota yang hadir menyampaikan usulan nama calon Ketua (baru). Dari proses ini telah terpilih, dengan suara terbanyak, sebagai Ketua KBN (2009-2012) Prof. Dr. Umar Anggara Jenie, Apt.

Juga diterima para Wakil Ketua, yaitu (1) Wakil Ketua Prof. Dr. Amin Soebandrio, SpMK. dari Kementerian Negara Riset dan Teknologi; (2) Wakil Ketua Prof. Dr. dr. Agus Purwadianto, SH, SpF, dari Departemen Kesehatan; dan (3) Wakil Ketua Prof. Dr. Ir. Sumardjo Gatot Irianto dari Departemen Pertanian. Dr. Amru Hydari Nazif menjabat sebagai Sekretaris KBN, sekali gus menjadi Kepala Sekretariat KBN.

Rapat mendengakan berbagai masukan seputar program KBN (sementara) dan bersepakat perlunya dibahas secara bersama pokok pikiran mengenai masalah kebioetikaan yang menjadi kepentingan Indonesia. Sesuai dengan ketentuan, Rapat Pleno berikutnya, secara tentatif, akan dilaksanakan pada tanggal 1 Desember 2009.•(setkbn0609)

Read more...