• POSTnote

    Copyright and the internet, October 2002

    This POSTnote examines the technological, legal, and enforcement issues as the UK faces the December 2002 deadline implementing the recent EC Directive addressing the protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) on the internet.

  • POSTnote

    Prospects for a hydrogen economy, October 2002

    This POSTnote outlines the basis of interest in hydrogen and examines technologies for its production, handling and use. Policy issues surrounding technology and market development of hydrogen are also considered.

  • POSTnote

    Peer review, September 2002

    This POSTnote describes how peer review operates, provides an overview of its strengths and weaknesses, and considers what improvements might exist.

  • POSTnote

    Nuclear terrorism, July 2002

    This POSTnote outlines possible forms of nuclear terrorism attack such as: Detonation of a nuclear weapon; attacks involving radioactive materials and attacks on nuclear facilities. Legislation addressing these risks and the UK’s strategy for coping with them are also considered.

  • POSTnote

    The UK biobank, July 2002

    This POSTnote describes the background to the UK Biobank, and examines issues raised such as consent, confidentiality, ownership and oversight.

  • POSTnote

    Broadband internet access, July 2002

    This POSTnote outlines how broadband internet access can be received, examines international comparisons and considers options to encourage take-up and coverage.

  • POSTnote

    Access to water in developing countries, May 2002

    This POSTnote outlines the technological, social, economic and political issues influencing sustainable water use and examines the UK's role in helping to increase developing countries' capacity in this area.

  • POSTnote

    CCTV, April 2002

    This POSTnote describes how CCTV is used and examines issues such as its effectiveness, civil liberties and its use in court.

  • POSTnote

    Ratifying Kyoto, April 2002

    This POSTnote outlines: the Kyoto Protocol and the current UK/EU view; positions of other developed countries (particularly the USA, Australia, Russia and Japan) and the situation in developing countries.

  • POSTnote

    Floodforum.net – an online discussion, April 2002

    ThisPOSTnote updates a previous note (Managing Flood POSTnote 169, December 2001) by summarising the outcome floodforum.net, and outlines the Government's current consultation on the arrangement for funding flood and coastal defence.

  • POSTnote

    Stem cell research, March 2002

    This POSTnote sets out recent legal and technical developments in the area of stem cell research and considers the issues they raise.

  • POSTnote

    MS treatments and NICE, February 2002

    NICE provides evidence-based guidance for the NHS, to ensure doctors use the most effective and affordable treaments. This POSTnote outlines how NICE evaluates clinical- and cost-effectiveness and examines the wider issues raised by health technology appraisal.

  • POSTnote

    Labelling GM foods, February 2002

    This POSTnote describes the background to the recent European Commission proposals to extend the GM labelling regime and examines the options available.