Letteratura scientifica selezionata sul tema "European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies to the European Commission"

Technology Assessment (TA) is the study and evaluation of new technologies with the objective of understanding the likely impacts (costs and benefits) of these technologies on society and the environment – with the explicit aim of improving regulatory decision making concerning these technologies. This is a prospective exercise helping to ensure that “better” regulatory decisions are made by decision makers. TA and “TA like” activities are embedded within the main EU institutions. The Commission carries out Regulatory Impact Assessments on every significant regulatory proposal. It also has at its disposal a range of advisory groups which includes the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies and the Institute for Prospective Technological Studies. The European Parliament has its own TA unit – the Science and Technology Options Assessment unit. The institutions are committed to quality, transparency and effectiveness in their use of expert groups and all such assessments are published on the internet. Occasionally full citizens’ consultations are carried out but this is not a formal requirement. Recent changes in the regulatory development process have emphasised the concept of “smarter” regulations. This concept is concerned not just with prospective analyses in advance of new regulations but also with the retrospective evaluation of existing regulations asking the question“Did they meet the need that was the raison d’être for enacting the regulation under consideration.”The distinction highlighted by Churchill [2] that experts should advise but not decide is intended to ensure that regulators take account of aspects other than the expert view. Nevertheless, it is essential that expert groups have the right to introduce advice thatmight otherwise be overlooked by the regulators, as is the case in a number of expert groups in the EU institutions.

Mobile phones have changed consumer and company behaviour and today they constitute the most direct means of communication between them. Many groups are targeted through promotion campaigns using mobile phones. Children, who in the future will be the largest consumer of new technologies, are one of these groups. Given that current Spanish legislation does not clearly establish what company policy ought to be in relation to promotions aimed at children, self-regulation of the mobile telephone sector is imperative. Spain is already among the developed countries in which one out of every two children has a mobile phone. Firms should pay special attention to this target group. Firstly, because promotional campaigns aimed at children have their peculiarities and secondly because of the legal and ethical protection that children deserve. Company policy, in this sense, should include the drawing up of Codes of Conduct. This article begins by analysing the child segment as mobile phone consumers. It then highlights the legal and ethical problems of mobile campaigns aimed at children, and looks at some studies carried out by the European Commission and the Spanish government. Finally, this paper draws some conclusions about the measures companies should adopt and offers practical help for self-regulation of the mobile telephone sector in Spain and, if possible, in other countries (especially other European countries within the framework of the agreement signed by the leading European mobile operators in 2007 to develop self-regulatory codes by 2008). Moreover, future research needs to centre on whether these measures increase child protection.

The study is focused on the COVID 19 pandemic as a challenge for Franco-German leadership in the European Union. The authors investigate whether joint actions by Berlin and Paris can strengthen the EU’s resilience to crises. As it is shown, the first isolationist reaction of the EU states to pandemic was followed by their attempts to find a common decision. The negotiations on an anti-crisis plan were complicated by the division of the European Union states into opposing camps. Two projects proposed by them – the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) and the “coronabonds” – reflected the narrow interests of rich, frugal “Northern” and economically modest “Southern” groups, and failed. In contrast, the Franco-German cooperation became a breakthrough. In March-April 2020, Germany and France opposed each other, supporting ESM and coronabonds, respectfully. In May-June 2020, A. Merkel and E. Macron agreed to a compromise and came up with a unified position. While Germany left “frugal” group by agreeing to allocate money to support the “South” without insisting on mandatory reforms, and endorsed the idea of joint debt obligations, France refused to support the “Southern” coronabond project and agreed to the mediation of the EU Commission. That gave new breath to negotiations where a new regrouping of countries took place: the “South” states failing to defend coronabonds supported the Franco-German plan based on subsidies, while the “frugals” put forward an alternative based on loans. The EU Commission’s project which included both proposals was discussed in July 2020: at that moment, the Franco-German tandem backed by the “South” states had to persuade both the “frugal” and the East- European states. Finally, the EU Commission’s plan promoted by Merkel and Macron was adopted, though with serious adjustments. The authors conclude that the Franco-German alliance has confirmed its capability to strengthen the European Union resilience, but its leadership is no longer unconditional, and in the future, they should take into account the interests of the EU regional groups. Acknowledgments. The article was prepared within the project “Post-Crisis World Order: Challenges and Technologies, Competition and Cooperation” supported by the grant from Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation program for research projects in priority areas of scientific and technological development (Agreement № 075-15-2020-783).

Background: The history of medicine has flowed in the wake of knowledge and social perceptions about the body and corporeality. There is no idea of health without reference to the notion of body (although “health” can have other meanings, figuratively). Considering the same history, the body was the subject of numerous segregations and categorizations due to which it was and is a “social object” and a “political object.” In turn, the spatial and cultural framework was the environment and determinant of the medicine development which is not only a science but also an inter-human interactive practice. Areas of Uncertainty: In this article, we will analyze the current social (re)construction of the notions of body and space by referring to the technological and structural changes that are manifested in medicine and society and their ethical implications. Data Sources: A review of the specialized literature was performed in June-July 2023, using keywords like human enhancement, therapeutic enhancement, transhumanist medicine, ethics from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, and official documents issued at the international level (World Health Organization, European Commission). Ethics and Therapeutic Advances: This literature review suggests that few practical solutions to human enhancement, both curative and preventive, whether cognitive or physical, have been approached entirely from an ethical point of view. The historical evolution of the concept of human enhancement has led to debates between “transhumanists” and “bioconservatives” depending on how they relate to the improvement of the human condition without or with reticence interventions to improve human capabilities being related to various interventions, from pharmacological, surgical ones to those in the field of genetics, nanomedicine, or cybernetics. In addition to the technical aspects, which are often the major concern of researchers and those applying new technologies, there are also ethical and legislative aspects, to better understand the impact that the dynamics and diffusion of these processes have on the evolution of the human species. Conclusions: In interference with these technologies, the body is exposed to possibilities of change and evolution with colossal (expected) social impact that can change norms and values that have been stable for centuries. Social space and place are also proving to be “processes in the making'” for which we need to detect what developments are possible or have already imposed themselves as a trend in the social and medical world.

The scientific discussion concerning the development of the promising approaches for phyto-diversity conservation and the rational use of plant resources in Russian Federation was held at the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences in December 2019. After the reports of leading scientists from biological institutes, a resolution No. 195 dated December 10, 2019 «Global changes in terrestrial ecosystems of Russia in the 21st century: challenges and opportunities» was adopted. The resolution includes a set of priority scientific aims including the development and application of modern technologies for inventory of the plant communities and the development of vegetation classification in Russia. As a result of the opinion exchange between phytocoenologists from different regions, the Concept of Russian Vegetation Classification was proposed. It is based on the following principles. 1. The use of the ecological-floristic approach and the hierarchy of the main syntaxonomic categories applied for the Classification of Vegetation of Europe. 2. Development of the Russian archive of geobotanical relevés and syntaxa in accordance with international standards and with the remote access functions. 3. Application of strict rules for syntaxon names formulated in the International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature. The Concept assumes the development of a special program «Russian Vegetation Classification» with the justification of the necessity for targeted funding of the program in Research Institutions and Universities involved for solving this scientific problem on the principle of network collaboration. The final results of this program will be represented in the multi-volume publication «Vegetation of Russia». A shortened version of the Concept (English version was kindly revised by Dr. Andrew Gillison, Center for Biodiversity Management, Cairns, Queensand, Australia) is below. Vegetation classification of Russia Research Program Concept Systematic classification and inventory of plant communities (phytocoenoses) is fundamental to the study and forecasting of contemporary complex processes in the biosphere, controlled among other factors, by global climate change. Vegetation classification serves as a common language that enables professionals in various fields of science to communicate and interact with each other in the process of studying and formulating practical ecosystem-related management decisions. Because plant community types can carry a great deal of information about the environment, nearly all approaches to simulation of changes in global biota are based inevitably on vegetation categories. Phytocoenosis is a keystone element when assessing the biodiversity genetic potential, formulating decisions in biological resource management and in sustaining development across Russian territories. Among the world’s vegetation classification systems, phytosociology is a system in which the concept of plant association (basic syntaxon) is the basic element in the classification of phytocoenoses. The phytosociological approach as applied in this concept proposal, has its origins in the Brussels Botanical Congress in 1910. However, despite the broad acceptance of phytocoenotic diversity as a fundamental methodological tool for understanding biosphere processes and managing biological resources nowadays, we still lack a unified approach as to its systematization at both global and country levels with the consequence that, there is no a single classification system. The results obtained by vegetation scientists working under European Vegetation Survey led by L. Mucina became the effective reference for international cooperation in vegetation classification. In the last 17 years they have produced a system of vegetation classification of Europe, including the European part of Russia (Mucina et al., 2016. «Vegetation of Europe: hierarchical floristic classification system of vascular plant, bryophyte, lichen, and algal communities»). Despite the fact that «Vegetation of Europe» is based on ecological and floristic principles, it nevertheless represents an example of the synthesis of one of the most effective approaches to systematizing vegetation diversity by different vegetation science schools. The synthetic approach implemented in this study assumes full accounting of the ecological indicative significance of the floristic composition and structure of plant community and habitat attributes. The approach has already demonstrated its high efficiency for understanding and forecast modeling both natural and anthropogenic processes in the biosphere, as well as in assessment of the environmental and resource significance of vegetation (ref). The demand for this approach is supported by its implementation in a number of pan-European and national projects: NATURE 2000, CORINE, CarHAB, funded at the state and pan-European levels. Currently, one of the main systems for the study and protection of habitats within the framework of environmental programs of the European Union (Davies, Moss, 1999; Rodwell et al., 2002; Moss, 2008; Linking..., 2015; Evans et al., 2018) is EUNIS (European Nature Information System), the framework of which is a multilevel classification of habitats in Europe has been established. EUNIS was used as the basis for the preparation and establishment of the Red List of European Habitats (Rodwell et al., 2013). It is approved by the Commission of the European Union (EU) (Habitats Directive 92/43 / EEC, Commission of the European Communities) for use in environmental activities of EU countries. In its Resolution of 10.12.2019, the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) expressed the need in a modern vegetation classification for the assessment of the ecosystem transformations under current climate changes and increasing anthropogenic impacts, as well as in development of effective measures for the conservation and rational use of plant resources of Russia. The resolution recommended the development of the Concept of Vegetation Classification of Russia to the Science Council for biodiversity and biological resources (at RAS Department of biological sciences — Section of Botany). As a consequence, a group of Russian vegetation researchers has developed the Concept for Vegetation Classification of Russia and proposed principles and a plan for its implementation. Aim Elaboration of a system of vegetation classification of Russia reflecting the natural patterns of plant communities formation at different spatial and geographical levels and serving as the fundamental basis for predicting biosphere processes, science-based management of bioresources, conservation of biodiversity and, ultimately, rational nature management for planning sustainable development of its territories. Research goals 1. Development of fundamental principles for the classification of vegetation by synthesis of the achievements of Russian and world’s vegetation science. 2. Inventory of plant community diversity in Russia and their systematization at different hierarchical levels. Elaboration and publication of a Prodromus of vegetation of Russia (syntaxon checklist) with an assessment of the correctness of syntaxa, their Nomenclatural validization and bibliography. Preparation and publication of a book series «Vegetation of Russia» with the entire classification system and comprehensive description of all syntaxonomic units. 3. The study of bioclimatic patterns of the phytocoenotic diversity in Russia for predictive modeling of biosphere processes. Assessment of qualitative changes in plant cover under global climate change and increasing anthropogenic impact in its various forms. 4. Assessment of the conservation value of plant communities and ecosystems. Habitat classification within Russia on the basis of the vegetation classification with a reference to world experience. 5. Demonstration of the opportunities of the vegetation classification for the assessment of actual plant resources, their future prognoses under climate and resource use change, optimization of nature management, environmental engineering and planning of projects for sustainable development. Basic principles underlying the vegetation classification of Russia I. Here we address the synthesis of accumulated theoretical ideas about the patterns of vegetation diversity and the significant features of phytocoenoses. The main goal is to identify the most significant attributes of the plant cover at different hierarchical levels of classification: floristic, structural-phytocoenotic, ecotopic and geographical.We propose the following hierarchy of the main syntaxonomical categories used in the classification of European vegetation (Mucina et al., 2016) by the ecological-floristic approach (Braun-Blanquet): Type of vegetation, Class, Order, Alliance, Association. Applying the ecological-floristic approach to the vegetation classification of Russia will maximize the use of the indicative potential of the plant community species composition to help solve the complex tasks of modern ecology, notably plant resource management, biodiversity conservation, and the forecast of vegetation response to environmental change of environment changes. II. We plan to establish an all-Russian archive of geobotanical relevés in accordance with international standards and reference information system on the syntaxonomical diversity coupled with implemented remote access capabilities. At present, the archives in botanical, biological, environmental and geographical institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences, as well as those of universities, have accumulated a large mass of geobotanical relevés for most regions of Russia (according to preliminary estimates — more than 300,000). These documents, which are fundamental to solving the most important national tasks for the conservation and monitoring of the natural human environment, need to be declared a National treasure. In this respect, the development of the all-Russian Internet portal for the vegetation classification is an urgent priority. III. The vegetation classification procedure will be based on a generalization of field data (geobotanical relevés) performed in accordance with international standards, using up-to-date mathematical and statistical methods and information technology. IV. The vegetation classification of Russia will be based on strict rules for naming of syntaxa, according to their validity as formulated in the International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature, which is constantly being improved (Weber et al., 2020). These underlying principles will help develop the ecological indicative potential of a wide range of vegetation features that can be used to focus on solving a range of global and regional ecology problems, plant resources management, biodiversity protection, and forecasting of the consequences of environmental changes. Prospects for the implementation of the concept «Vegetation classification of Russia» At present, the academic research centers and universities of Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Vladivostok, Irkutsk, Murmansk, Crimea, Bashkiria, Komi and other regions have sufficient scientific potential to achieve the goals in the framework of the special Program of the Russian Academy of Sciences — that is, to develop a vegetation classification of Russia. To achieve this goal will require: - organization of a network of leading teams within the framework of the Scientific Program of the Russian Academy of Sciences «Vegetation classification of Russia», adjustment of the content of state assignment with the allocation of additional funding. - approval of the thematic Program Committee by the RAS for the development of organizational approaches and elaboration of specific plans for the realization of the Scientific Program, - implementation of the zonal-geographical principle in organization of activity on developing the regional classifications and integrating them into a single classification system of the vegetation of Russia. - ensuring the integration of the system of vegetation classification of Russia with similar systems in the countries of the former USSR, Europe, USA, China, Japan, etc. Potential organizations-participants in the scientific Program — 18 institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences and 8 Universities. Estimated timelines of the implementation of the concept «Vegetation classification of Russia» — 2021–2030. General schedule for the entire period of research 2021. Approval of classification principles, unified methodical and methodological approaches by project participants. Discussion and elaboration of the rules of organization of the all-Russian archive of geobotanical relevés and syntaxa. 2022–2026. Formation of all-Russian archive of geobotanical relevés and syntaxa. Development of plant community classification and identification of the potential indicative features of units of different ranks based on quantitative methods and comparative syntaxonomic analysis with existing classification systems in Europe, North and East Asia. Justification of new concepts for key syntaxa. The study of environmental and geographical patterns of the vegetation diversity in Russia using up-to-date methods of ordination modeling and botany-geography ana­lysis. 2022. Publication of a Prodromus of vegetation classification of Russia. Schedule for the publication of volumes of the «Vegetation classification of Russia» 2023. «Boreal forests and pre-tundra woodlands» 2024. «Forests of the temperate zone» 2025. «Tundra and polar deserts» and «Alpine ve­getation» 2026. «Steppe vegetation» and «Meadow vegetation» 2027. «Aquatic and bog vegetation» 2028. «Halophytic vegetation» 2029. «Synanthropic vegetation» 2027–2030. Development of criteria for assessing the environmental significance of the plant community syntaxonomic categories for various natural zones based on world criteria. Preparation of the volume «Classification of habitats of Russia and assessment of their environmental significance».

This study aimed to analyze the correlation between Human Capital Sustainability Leadership style and manager resilience through a pragmatic worldview. Using explanatory sequential mixed methods research design (QUAN→qual), respondents covered were managers from the Airline Operations Group of an AIRLINE Company with at least one year of managerial experience within the organization. In the quantitative phase, Human Capital Sustainability Leadership Scale by Di Fabio and Peiro (2018) and Domain-Specific Resilient Systems Scales (DRSSWork) by Maltby, Day, Hall, and Chivers (2019) were used for the online survey. Forty-five (45) eligible respondents have participated. Mean, standard deviation, and Spearman rank correlation coefficient were employed. To further explain the quantitative results, one-on-one qualitative interviews were done with eight (8) key informants, face-toface and online. Themes were identified. 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INTRODUCTION The incorporation of various aspects and requirements in socio-cyber-physical (STP) system simulation modelling drives challenges for the application of appropriate methodology and visualisation. The research problem lies in the multi-dimensionality and complexity of these systems. According to information science, the definition of STP implies an understanding of how digital information interacts with and transforms the physical world (which compromises both natural and manmade materials) (Rijswijk et al., 2021). The multi-dimensionality of these system authors is expressed in: 1) time (historical and actual data, future predictions, and continuous updating based on simulation modelling results) (Frazzon et al., 2020); 2) the physical world and its digital representation (Rijswijk et al., 2021); 3) the change in social practices by the influence of the cyber world (Skarga-Bandurova et al., n.d.). All the above-mentioned factors have to be reflected within the comprehensive simulation model. The author’s proposed hypothesis is: the application of multi-scalability and multi-dimensionality within the enterprise modelling approach provides the opportunity to develop a comprehensive model for socio-cyber-physical systems. The enterprise modelling method provides an excellent background for case studies and the application of the modern Living Lab approach for socio-cyber-physical systems design. But a research gap exists in contextual modelling for the particular solution. It means that for various cases there is specific contextual information that has to be described and taken into account in order to reach the main goal. The author proposes an extension of 4EM methodology for application in two various cases: 1) development of methodology for cybersecurity education; and 2) requirements for the definition of a climate-smart agriculture solution for farmers. MATERIALS AND METHODS Method: application of enterprise modelling methodology for 2 various cases: 1. climate-smart agriculture; 2. methodology development for advancing cyber security competencies. EM consists of 6 inter-related models (Stirna & Persson, 2018): Goal model, which in general defines the objectives of a company and its problems in reaching such goals and implementing business processes; Business law model, which describes the laws that have to be complied with in reaching the goals set and/or implementing business processes or rules in a particular context; Concept model, which explains concepts used in other models; Business process model, which generally describes processes to be implemented for reaching the goals and functionality tool; Actor and resource model, which in general includes the required human resources and material-technical resources for implementing business processes or a particular user; The model of technical components and requirements, which in general describes the provision of software and hardware for business process implementation, as well as how to reach the goals set and functions of a new remote communication tool. The model development process was conducted according to methodology requirements in the following steps: 1) expert interview before the modelling session; 2) modelling session; 3) model justification within the expert group. RESULTS Results shows that 4EM methodology is an effective methodology for case analysis in uncertain situations and where the solution is not obvious. It brings new insight for the proposed situation and explicitly describes the innovative solution. The outcome of the modelling sessions conducted was the development of models with incorporated stakeholder needs and requirements. The advantage of the application of 4EM methodology is simplicity and comprehensiveness at the same time. Methodology provides flexibility in a situational analysis and definition of sub-models, which supports the proposed case need and stakeholders’ view and ideas. The iterative model design process provides an effective Living Lab approach for stakeholder community building and a snowball effect in engagement. DISCUSSION A discussion point regarding 4EM methodology is its completeness and how detailed the description of models and developed sub-models have to be. The application of 4EM in two various cases proves the hypothesis that methodology can be applied as an effective tool for community building within Living Lab. Future work is related to the incorporation of technological solution and pattern design for the more effective elicitation of requirements. CONCLUSIONS The 4EM model has been developed, summarising the requirements and different aspects in using emerging technologies in various situations. It also includes aspects such as social, technological and security factors. Actors and goals have been defended, and important components recognised. Security capabilities and context elements have been determined according to the goal model. Several threats and problems have been identified. The advantage of this model is that the authors formulate technical requirements according to the set context. This approach is a new addition to the existing 4EM process. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Research is partly supported by European Commission Horizon 2020 programme funding by the project ‘reSilienT fARminG by Adaptive microclimaTemanagEment’ — STARGATE No. 818187 and partly by the “Advancing Human Performance in Cybersecurity”, ADVANCES, benefits from a nearly € 1 million grant from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA Grants. The aim of the project is to advance the performance of cybersecurity specialists by personalising the competence development path and risk assessment. Project contract with the Research Council of Lithuania (LMTLT) No. S-BMT-21-6 (LT08-2-LMT-K-01-051).

INTRODUCTION The incorporation of various aspects and requirements in socio-cyber-physical (STP) system simulation modelling drives challenges for the application of appropriate methodology and visualisation. The research problem lies in the multi-dimensionality and complexity of these systems. According to information science, the definition of STP implies an understanding of how digital information interacts with and transforms the physical world (which compromises both natural and manmade materials) (Rijswijk et al., 2021). The multi-dimensionality of these system authors is expressed in: 1) time (historical and actual data, future predictions, and continuous updating based on simulation modelling results) (Frazzon et al., 2020); 2) the physical world and its digital representation (Rijswijk et al., 2021); 3) the change in social practices by the influence of the cyber world (Skarga-Bandurova et al., n.d.). All the above-mentioned factors have to be reflected within the comprehensive simulation model. The author’s proposed hypothesis is: the application of multi-scalability and multi-dimensionality within the enterprise modelling approach provides the opportunity to develop a comprehensive model for socio-cyber-physical systems. The enterprise modelling method provides an excellent background for case studies and the application of the modern Living Lab approach for socio-cyber-physical systems design. But a research gap exists in contextual modelling for the particular solution. It means that for various cases there is specific contextual information that has to be described and taken into account in order to reach the main goal. The author proposes an extension of 4EM methodology for application in two various cases: 1) development of methodology for cybersecurity education; and 2) requirements for the definition of a climate-smart agriculture solution for farmers. MATERIALS AND METHODS Method: application of enterprise modelling methodology for 2 various cases: 1. climate-smart agriculture; 2. methodology development for advancing cyber security competencies. EM consists of 6 inter-related models (Stirna & Persson, 2018): Goal model, which in general defines the objectives of a company and its problems in reaching such goals and implementing business processes; Business law model, which describes the laws that have to be complied with in reaching the goals set and/or implementing business processes or rules in a particular context; Concept model, which explains concepts used in other models; Business process model, which generally describes processes to be implemented for reaching the goals and functionality tool; Actor and resource model, which in general includes the required human resources and material-technical resources for implementing business processes or a particular user; The model of technical components and requirements, which in general describes the provision of software and hardware for business process implementation, as well as how to reach the goals set and functions of a new remote communication tool. The model development process was conducted according to methodology requirements in the following steps: 1) expert interview before the modelling session; 2) modelling session; 3) model justification within the expert group. RESULTS Results shows that 4EM methodology is an effective methodology for case analysis in uncertain situations and where the solution is not obvious. It brings new insight for the proposed situation and explicitly describes the innovative solution. The outcome of the modelling sessions conducted was the development of models with incorporated stakeholder needs and requirements. The advantage of the application of 4EM methodology is simplicity and comprehensiveness at the same time. Methodology provides flexibility in a situational analysis and definition of sub-models, which supports the proposed case need and stakeholders’ view and ideas. The iterative model design process provides an effective Living Lab approach for stakeholder community building and a snowball effect in engagement. DISCUSSION A discussion point regarding 4EM methodology is its completeness and how detailed the description of models and developed sub-models have to be. The application of 4EM in two various cases proves the hypothesis that methodology can be applied as an effective tool for community building within Living Lab. Future work is related to the incorporation of technological solution and pattern design for the more effective elicitation of requirements. CONCLUSIONS The 4EM model has been developed, summarising the requirements and different aspects in using emerging technologies in various situations. It also includes aspects such as social, technological and security factors. Actors and goals have been defended, and important components recognised. Security capabilities and context elements have been determined according to the goal model. Several threats and problems have been identified. The advantage of this model is that the authors formulate technical requirements according to the set context. This approach is a new addition to the existing 4EM process. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Research is partly supported by European Commission Horizon 2020 programme funding by the project ‘reSilienT fARminG by Adaptive microclimaTemanagEment’ — STARGATE No. 818187 and partly by the “Advancing Human Performance in Cybersecurity”, ADVANCES, benefits from a nearly € 1 million grant from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the EEA Grants. The aim of the project is to advance the performance of cybersecurity specialists by personalising the competence development path and risk assessment. Project contract with the Research Council of Lithuania (LMTLT) No. S-BMT-21-6 (LT08-2-LMT-K-01-051).

Nanotechnology is the science of designing, producing, and using structures and devices having one or more dimensions of about 100 millionth of a millimetre (100 nanometres) or less. It is going to be a major driving force behind the imminent technological revolution in the 21st century. Private and public sector companies are constantly in synthesizing nanomaterial based products. Nanotechnology has the potential of producing new materials and products that may revolutionize all areas of life. Meanwhile, its opponents believe that nanotechnology may cause serious health and environmental risks and advise that the prophylactic approach should command the blooming and distribution of such products. Nanotechnology pledges for producing novel materials with augmented properties and potential applications (Zeng and Sun, 2008). Nanoparticles and nanomaterials both terms are used interchangeably in scientific literature. However, according to British Standards Institution for the scientific terms: “Nanomaterial is a material with any internal or external structures on the nanoscale dimension, while Nanoparticle a is nano-object with three external nanoscale dimensions. According to the European Commission, nanoparticles can be defined as a natural, incidental or manufactured material containing particles, in an unbound state or as an aggregate or as an agglomerate with one or more external dimensions is in the size range 1 nm – 100nm. The size of nanoparticles is comparable to the size of cell organelles. Nanoparticles can have amorphous or crystalline form and their surfaces can act as carriers for liquid droplets or gases. They have at least one dimension between 1 and 100 nanometers and a narrow size distribution. The nanometric dimensions of these materials make them ideal candidates for surface engineering and functionalization. Due to the development of nanotechnology in recent years, engineered nanoparticles are being used in various fields, particularly in biomedical field. Various physico-chemical properties such as large surface area strength, mechanical, optical activity and chemical reactivity make nanoparticles unique and suitable candidates for various applications. Nanomaterials can be classified into natural and anthropogenic categories based on their origin. Natural sources include volcanic eruptions, forest fires, photochemical reactions, dust storms, etc., while anthropogenic sources include human activities, which can be of two types: Incidental nanomaterials that are generated unintentionally as a result of industrial activities. Combustion from vehicles, cooking, fuel petroleum and coal for power generation (Linak et al., 2000), aeroplanes engines, welding, ore refining and smelting are some of the incidental activities that lead to nanoparticle formation (Rogers et al., 2005). Engineered nanomaterials are designed and created intentionally for producing nanoparticles with specific characteristics. Due to its unusual tunable properties, these materials are widely used in electronics such as semiconductor chips, lighting technologies such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), lasers, batteries, and fuel electronics etc. Scientists are using nanoparticles to target tumors, in drug delivery systems, and to improve medical imaging. Emerging engineered nanomaterials like quantum dots, nanobranches, nanocages, and nanoshells are presently being used in advance photovoltaic cells, drug delivery nanovehicles, and immunological sensing devices (Kahru and Dubourguier, 2010). Nanomaterials are also classified on the basis of morphology (rod, flower shaped, fiber, sphere and sheet), crystalline mature (amorphous and cristaline), dimension (0D, 1D, 2D, and 3D), and chemical nature (metal, semi-metal and non-metal). There are more than 1800 market products containing nanomaterials, including drugs, food products, food preservatives, clothing, sports items, cosmetics and electronic appliances (Chou et al., 2008; Vance et al., 2015). Nanoparticles are currently being used in biomedicine, bio-imaging, targeted drug delivery, assisted rreproductive technologies (ART), etc. Nanoparticle exposure to humans may be either incidental or accidental or occupational to the natural and manmade nanomaterials. Nanoparticles enter human bodies through inhalation, ingestion and skin, accumulate in the body organs and cause toxic effects on the biological system. The highly activated surfaces of nanoparticles have great potential to induce cytotoxic, genotoxic and carcinogenic activities (Seaton et al., 2010). In-vivo studies specify that the lung, spleen, liver, and kidney are the major distribution sites and target organs for nanomaterial exposure (Wang et al., 2013). They induce localized toxic effects such as cardiotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, etc., in related organs (Du et al., 2013; Yan et al., 2012; Hussain et al., 2005). Several reports have described the adverse effects of nanoparticles on human and animal health, especially in context of reproductive health. The reproductive toxicity of nanoparticles is becoming an important part of nano-science research (Ema et al., 2010). Exposure to nanoparticles adversely affects male reproductive system including both structural and functional aspects. Metallic nanoparticles, generally below 30 nm, owing to their spherical nature and diameter easily cross blood testicular barrier causing considerable toxic changes in the testicular tissue. Hong et al. (2015) reported decreased sperm production in testis accompanied with changes in expression of spermatogenesis regulating genes due to exposure of metallic nanoparticle titanium dioxide (TiO2). A sub-chronic oral exposure of PVP-coated AgNPs to rats resulted in altered testicular histology and sperm morphological abnormalities. In a study, testicular toxicity due to silver nanoparticles was examined in Sprague Dawley rat. The results indicated a significant fall in testosterone level and hike in LH levels. Ultra structural examination revealed vaculations in Sertoli cells and abnormalities in spermatogenic cells, sperm viability and chromatin integrity were also affected adversely (Elsharkawy et al., 2019). Similarly, exposure to zinc oxide nanoparticles resulted in apoptosis in testicular cells and structural changes in seminiferous epithelium and sperm anomalies (Han et al., 2016). Accumulation of copper oxide nanoparticles in testis of mouse may affect sperm morphology (Kadammattil et al., 2018). Spherical shaped nickel nanoparticles of 90 nm size can change motility and decrease FSH and testosterone levels in rats. At higher dose, nickel nanoparticles induced significant structural damage to the testis (Kong et al., 2014). Iron oxide nanoparticles of 20-80 nm size adverse by affected the sperm and Leydig cells in mouse (Nasri et al., 2015). Recent testicular toxicity study conducted by Verma et al. (2022) demonstrated that low, medium and high doses (20, 40 and 80 mg kg-1) of spherically shaped, with an average diameter of 15-20 nm, super paramagnetic IONPs (Fe3O4) injected intra-peritoneally decreased sperm counts and motility in spermatozoa. With respect to the effects due to non-metallic or semi-metallic nanoparticles having different shapes, different outcomes have been reported. A study conducted by Nirmal et al. (2017) on Wistar rat, exposed to 2.0 and 10.0 mg kg-1 bwt doses of OH-f MWCNTs resulted in sperm dysfunction and degeneration in seminiferous tubules (Nirmal et al., 2017). In another study by the same group, Wistar rat exposed to high doses of nanoscale graphene oxide (NGO) intra-peritonially, showed reduced sperm motility and total sperm count and increased sperm abnormalities (Nirmal et al., 2017). It is thus apparent that nanoparticles have a considerable negative impact on testicular tissue including damage to Leydig cells, Sertoli cells, spermatogenesis and sperm quality. Various studies have revealed that the testicular toxicity is caused due to combination factors. Oxidative stress is a key factor responsible for nanoparticle mediated damage. It becomes more harmful, especially to the testes because of high metabolism, continuous sperm production and presence of high amount of unsaturated fatty acids (Aitken and Roman, 2008). With the expansion and production of nanometerials for industrial and medical applications, exposure chances are also increasing. Many research reports have documented the adverse effects of nanoparticles on animals and environment. The major concern with the widespread use of NPs is their toxicity to living cells. Therefore, alleviating or reducing NPs toxicity remains much coveted goal for researchers around the globe. It is the alertness and scientific awareness which can prevent these materials from becoming bane instead of boon for humanity. This editorial is written as a tribute to my beloved teacher Dr. R. C. Dalela who has been my mentor since 1985, when I was student of M.Sc. Zoology (1985-1987) and Ph.D (1987-1993) in D.A.V. P.G. College, Muzaffarnagar. He has played a vital role in moulding my career, from an average post-graduate student to the academician and a researcher I am today. I deeply cherish his guidance, encouragement and support. It was my privilege to meet him last November, so close to his sudden demise. The values inculcated by him continues to inspire me in my onward journey. I have been associated with JEB for the past 25 years as a reviewer and an Associate Editor. The articles published in this journal receive good citations, which reflect the popularity of this open access journal among the researchers of Environmental Biology and Toxicology. I must appreciate the present editorial team headed by Professor Divakar Dalela for their efforts in maintaining the standard of this journal. I wish all success and my sincere co-operation for the same in the coming years.

Abstract The second panelist will discuss policy and politics, incl. the role expert bodies and instruments of the European Union, assessing the role of the European Commission and the exchange frameworks with Member-States. In the context of elaboration on how optimal strategies for assessing the impact of new health technology and for evidence-informed policymaking, the role the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies (EGE) will be discussed in more detail, as the independent expert group and multi-disciplinary body appointed by the President of the European Commission to advises on all policies where ethical, societal and fundamental rights issues intersect with the development of science and new technologies. Furthermore, broad long-term implications for globalisation and the relation of the EU to third countries will be examined, as will the significance of such measures for the European Union's Global Health Agenda, and the implications for future decision-making and policies in developing countries too.

AbstractAutonomous systems make decisions independently or on behalf of the user. This will happen more and more in the future, with the widespread use of AI technologies in the fabric of the society that impacts on the social, economic, and political sphere. Automating services and processes inevitably impacts on the users’ prerogatives and puts at danger their autonomy and privacy. From a societal point of view, it is crucial to understand which is the space of autonomy that a system can exercise without compromising laws and human rights. Following the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies 2018 recommendation, the chapter addresses the problem of preserving the value of human dignity in the context of the digital society, understood as the recognition that a person is worthy of respect in her interaction with autonomous technologies. A person must be able to exercise control on information about herself and on the decisions that autonomous systems make on her behalf.

Abstract Since 2002, in its opinion on the ‘ Ethical aspects of patenting inventions involving human stem cells’ , the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies (EGE) considered that there may be a need to make ethical evaluations in the course of the examination of patent applications involving specific ethical dimensions. It would be desirable that such ethical evaluation becomes part of the review process of national patent offices or European Institutions like EPO and that advisory panels of independent experts are set up for that purpose.