Like every technological innovation in today's world, biotechnology requires public and political support and responsibility. Public understanding of biotechnology is a major factor for the success of this technology. This section provides basic information on the interface biotechnology society in Switzerland and the means for supporting the dialogue between science, society and policy makers.

Bio-Scope
Bio-Scope is an independent expert and information network for green biotechnology. In addition to current information and specialist contributions, it also offers a knowledge pool and an expert pool.

TA-Swiss
The Centre for Technology Assesment TA-Swiss is affiliated to the Swiss Science and Technology Council (SWTR). The SWTR advises the Federal Council on scientific and technological concerns. In the area of life sciences TA-Swiss focuses especially on controversial subjects such as xenotransplants, gene therapy or genetically modified food and sets out to fix legal, ethical or economic limits promptly and to steer the application of these new technologies into socially desirable channels.

Swiss National Advisory Commission on Biomedical Ethics
The Swiss National Advisory Commission on Biomedical Ethics NEK-CNE has an advisory role and was set up as an interdisciplinary committee of experts relating to all sectors of society. The NEK is responsible for early identification of ethical issues in the development of medicine and biomedical science and forming a policy indicating the way forward.

Swiss Ethics Committee on Non-Human Gene Technology
(ECNH)
The ECNH is the Federal Council's independent committee of experts with the task of advising authorities on ethical matters relating to the area of non-human biotechnology and gene technology. It issues statements from an ethical viewpoint on typical applications for authorisation to conduct projects involving genetically modified organisms. It informs the public about the issues and subjects it covers and encourages discussion on the uses and risks of gene technology and biotechnology.

Others
EFBs Task Group on Public Perceptions of Biotechnology