Reading for Battle
Battle Readings is a regularly updated compilation of articles, essays, and opinion pieces relevant to the themes of the Battle of Ideas.
Choose a theme from the listing on the left to narrow your search, or view all readings.
Science & Environment
Climate change: EU rebrands green energy campaign
"The UK has enjoyed massive growth in the green economy with 110,000 green jobs. Climate change policies also help us reduce our imports of fossil fuels and help to give us the lead in smart technologies as resources become more scarce."
Roger Harrabin, BBC News, 8 October 2012
"The UK has enjoyed massive growth in the green economy with 110,000 green jobs. Climate change policies also help us reduce our imports of fossil fuels and help to give us the lead in smart technologies as resources become more scarce."
Roger Harrabin, BBC News, 8 October 2012
The status of the human embryo in UK law and public policy: Gradualist language but instrumental use
The aim of this paper is not primarily to argue, as several commentators have in the past, that the purported “special status” of the embryo in English law is an empty concept giving no real protection. It is rather an attempt to understand why the special status of the embryo appears to be an empty concept, and how it is in fact functioning.
David Jones, Anscombe Bioethics Centre
The aim of this paper is not primarily to argue, as several commentators have in the past, that the purported “special status” of the embryo in English law is an empty concept giving no real protection. It is rather an attempt to understand why the special status of the embryo appears to be an empty concept, and how it is in fact functioning.
David Jones, Anscombe Bioethics Centre
Cultural Education in England
An independent review by Darren Henley for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Education
Darren Henley, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, 2012
An independent review by Darren Henley for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Education
Darren Henley, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, 2012
The Paradox of Gay Genes
One of the commonest questions I get is this: If being gay is genetic, and gay sex doesn't produce children, why don't those genes die out?
Simon LeVay, Huffington Post, 1 October 2012
One of the commonest questions I get is this: If being gay is genetic, and gay sex doesn't produce children, why don't those genes die out?
Simon LeVay, Huffington Post, 1 October 2012
Water: An Issue That Requires Collaboration
The world faces a projected 40 percent shortfall in freshwater by 2030, according to a study by the 2030 Water Resources Group. Seventy percent of the water humans use now goes toward agriculture. So it's no surprise that the central theme of the annual World Water Week conference held last week in Stockholm is how to produce more food while using less water in the process.
Andy Wales, Huffington Post, 20 September 2012
The world faces a projected 40 percent shortfall in freshwater by 2030, according to a study by the 2030 Water Resources Group. Seventy percent of the water humans use now goes toward agriculture. So it's no surprise that the central theme of the annual World Water Week conference held last week in Stockholm is how to produce more food while using less water in the process.
Andy Wales, Huffington Post, 20 September 2012
Misleading talk of 'three-parent babies' helps no one
We should seize the chance to authorise a gene therapy that has the potential to alleviate great suffering
John Harris, Guardian, 19 September 2012
We should seize the chance to authorise a gene therapy that has the potential to alleviate great suffering
John Harris, Guardian, 19 September 2012
Ministers urged to use epigenetic research when tackling public health problems
Significant improvements could be made to public health by building upon the findings of epigenetic research, according to a leading expert on epigenetics and child health.
Sandy Starr, BioNews, 17 September 2012
Significant improvements could be made to public health by building upon the findings of epigenetic research, according to a leading expert on epigenetics and child health.
Sandy Starr, BioNews, 17 September 2012
UK dash for gas would be illegal, says climate committee
Letter from climate change committee slams government over comments suggesting unabated gas can play a role in the energy mix after 2030
James Murray, Guardian, 13 September 2012
Letter from climate change committee slams government over comments suggesting unabated gas can play a role in the energy mix after 2030
James Murray, Guardian, 13 September 2012
The Water Food Energy Nexus
Water, food and energy are interconnected: agriculture accounts for about 70% of global freshwater use and can pollute freshwater supplies if mismanaged. Water is also used to generate electricity. Successfully addressing the triple challenge of water stress, food security and energy supplies means taking a holistic view and balancing the many competing demands
SAB Miller, 26 August 2012
Water, food and energy are interconnected: agriculture accounts for about 70% of global freshwater use and can pollute freshwater supplies if mismanaged. Water is also used to generate electricity. Successfully addressing the triple challenge of water stress, food security and energy supplies means taking a holistic view and balancing the many competing demands
SAB Miller, 26 August 2012
Genetically engineering 'ethical' babies is a moral obligation, says Oxford professor
Genetically screening our offspring to make them better people is just 'responsible parenting', claims an eminent Oxford academic.
Richard Alleyne, Daily Telegraph, 16 August 2012
Genetically screening our offspring to make them better people is just 'responsible parenting', claims an eminent Oxford academic.
Richard Alleyne, Daily Telegraph, 16 August 2012
They know what we're thinking?
"The Battle of Ideas is a weekend like no other. I found the 2011 festival immensely stimulating. It gave me a great deal to think about, and a whole new list of books to read - from Virgil to Vygotsky. On to greater battles in 2012!"
Ken Macleod, award-winning science fiction writer; author, The Restoration Game and Intrusion
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