Bioethics Advocacy and Engagement Work

Comprises records regarding Sulston's work since stepping down as Director of the Sanger Centre, particularly the writing of The Common Thread and his bioethics advocacy and engagement work. This involved attending international meetings, siting on committees, giving lectures and speeches, media work and participating in international delegations. The papers include: correspondence regarding meeting arrangements; conference packs; draft speeches; invitations; correspondence regarding interview requests and papers concerning his media work.

1992-2010

19 boxes

After John Sulston stepped down as Director of the Sanger Centre in 2000 he wrote his personal account of the Human Genome Project. The Common Thread, co-authored by Georgina Ferry was published in 2001 and during the following few years the two embarked on national and international book tours, visiting Canada, Spain and China. During these years Sulston also attended many international meetings and gave talks about human genetics and genomics and the surrounding legal and ethical issues. He also sat on committees including the Human Genetics Commission and the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures Expert Group on Genomics, Bioinformatics et al. In December 2001 Sulston delivered the Royal Institution 2001 Annual Christmas Lectures entitled "The Secrets of Life" and then repeated the lectures in Japan in August 2002. He also undertook outreach work in Scotland, participating in the Edinburgh International Festival and assisting in the development of an educational project for school children. In 2004 Sulston took a trip to South America organised by the British Council, visiting Argentina and Brazil. During this period Sulston received several awards in recognition of his contribution to better understanding the human body and improving human health. These included a 2001 City of Medicine Award and 2002 Medical Society Fothergillian Medal. He also improved public understanding of genetics and genomics by appearing on various BBC Radio programmes and contributing to national and international documentaries.