The Royal Society of Canada Endorses Statements on Antimicrobial Resistance and Synthetic Biology

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Oct. 21, 2014) - The Royal Society of Canada has endorsed two important statements on matters of international scientific urgency.

In the first instance, the RSC has endorsed the statement issued by the Global Network of Science Academies and the InterAcademy Medical Panel (IAMP) called Antimicrobial Resistance: A Call for Action. This statement highlights the critical role that antimicrobial drugs play in today's medical practices, and but also emphasises that there have been dramatic increases in the number of pathogens developing resistance to these drugs. To read the complete statement, click here.

In the second instance, the RSC has endorsed the statement entitled Realizing Global Potential in Synthetic Biology: Scientific Opportunities and Good Governance. This statement highlights the key areas in which researchers are currently working with synthetic biology, with their potential to positively impact society. To read this statement, click here.

"As an enthusiastic member of the Global Network of Science Academies, the Royal Society of Canada is proud to work alongside science academies from the around the world," noted RSC President Graham Bell. "These multilateral statements are an important component of the RSC's mandate to provide independent scientific expertise to our elected leaders at home and to contribute to informed discussion on important scientific and social issues with our sister national Academies around the world."

Founded in 1882, the Royal Society of Canada (RSC) comprises the Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada. Its mission is to recognize scholarly, research and artistic excellence, to advise governments and organizations, and to promote a culture of knowledge and innovation in Canada and with other national academies around the world