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  • Cutting towards the future with molecular scissors

    Cutting towards the future with molecular scissors0

    Genome editing with “molecular scissors” is becoming the method of choice for plant breeding. It offers a huge potential regarding the food and nutrition security, which is so necessary because of the growing world population and increasing consumption of meat. However, some fear that this might be another genetically modified organism (GMO).

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  • Crossing the invisible borders:  Violence against refugee women

    Crossing the invisible borders: Violence against refugee women0

    The commotion caused by Köln events during New Year’s Eve, when organized gangs of man sexually assaulted and mugged women across the city, has brought to light the problem of sexual violence against women. This kind of violence, dramatic consequence of unequal power relations, is exercised worldwide: Let us think of the thousands of gang rape cases registered in India, or, not so far away, the statistics of the last survey of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights unveiling a 11 % of women who have experienced some form of sexual violence during their lives.

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  • Cradle-to-cradle™ and the circular economy: are we kidding ourselves on consumption?

    Cradle-to-cradle™ and the circular economy: are we kidding ourselves on consumption?1

    With the recently presented Circular Economy Package (CEP) the EU wants to implement what chemist-turned-business visionary Michael Braungart and his architect friend William McDonough have trademarked cradle-to-cradle™:  In a circular economy no product goes to waste that is from cradle to grave, every material re-enters the production/consumption cycle – from cradle to cradle. Let’s not get carried away by a good idea.

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  • Counter radicalization policies in the UK: Counterproductive for gender equality

    Counter radicalization policies in the UK: Counterproductive for gender equality0

    Despite the fact that the various reasons leading to radicalisation of men and women are cited as the same, the approaches to counter radicalisation do little but enforce gender stereotypes and disempower women. Instead, policies should consider the wider factors that lead to the social isolation of women such as racial hatred and gender-based discrimination resulting in community isolation.

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  • Could Brexit farm nature back to health?

    Could Brexit farm nature back to health?0

    Following Brexit, the UK farming industry will lose £3 billion in EU subsidies. In its place a sustainable, logical reform has been proposed by the National Trust to pay farmers for environmental services. This should be seized.

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  • Corruption and corporatism – is TTIP still desirable for the EU?

    Corruption and corporatism – is TTIP still desirable for the EU?2

    Experiencing a period of economic stagnation, the European Union (EU) has started to look for different ways to enhance its economic growth rates. One solution is represented by the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). However, this solution is also one of the most debated issues within the circles of economists due to economic and social costs at stake. Among these costs, the issues of corruption and corporatism should not be neglected. Although they do not make the TTIP-related headlines, these issues are very important because they could minimize and even overcome the positive effects of trade liberalisation.

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