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Swiss space scientist Peter Creola demonstrated that it is possible for small nations to air their concerns and improve their industries and economies in space technology through a judicious cooperative endeavor with the European Space Agency. The successful initiatives undertaken by the Swiss government and its role in the foundation of ESA were examined. Creola describes his thoughts on the present and future state of space affairs in the continent.

BERN--A major program launched last month to boost the fortunes of a select group of top Swiss labs has ignited a controversy in the scientific community. Whereas the winners say [...]

As the new science attache to the Embassy of Switzerland in 1998, it was Johannes Kaufmann's job to visit federal agencies and congressional offices throughout the U.S. capital. No matter [...]

BERN -- A decade of stagnation has sent Swiss science into a downward spiral that only broad reforms and a massive infusion of funds can reverse. That, at least, is [...]

Swiss biologists are still stunned by the hurricane that recently hit them. The 'Genschutzinitiative' (Gene Protection Initiative) marked the success of a 6year effort by activists to use one of [...]

BERN -- For a small alpine nation, Switzerland has long had a big impact in the world of science. The 16th century Swiss alchemist Paracelsus was the first to employ [...]

In about a year, the people of Switzerland will vote on a constitutional amendment that, if approved, would give the country one of the world's most hostile environments for research [...]

The Swiss government is financing Switzerland's higher learning institutions' cooperation with NASA and the European Space Agency in Earth observation activities. Universities such as those at Basel and Zurich are participating in special remote sensing programs, and others such as the University of Geneva are also involved in Geographic Information Systems. The various activities include observation of the influences of climate change, ozone breakdown and forest damage.

The law introduced by Switzerland in 2004 to protect the dignity of animals, plants and other life forms is now in conflict with the country's research agenda. Two top Swiss [...]

The National Science Foundation (NSF) in Switzerland wants the role of university researchers in identifying the topics of national research programmes to be expanded. The government currently decides which programmes to finance, but some believe the top-down decision making process is poorly integrated with other research. The Swiss Department of the Interior supports a proposals that a new programme, called national research priorities, should replace the current research programme.

BERN--Swiss biological scientists were partying this week after a nationwide referendum rejected by a surprisingly strong 2-to-1 margin a proposal to ban research in Switzerland involving transgenic animals and the [...]

Plans to curb genetic engineering in Switzerland have been rejected in a referendum. The curbs were proposed in 1992 by pressure groups, and were rejected by two thirds of voters. There have been warnings from politicians and researchers that the Swiss economy could be harmed by restrictions on genetic engineering, leading to job losses in academic and industrial research departments. The Swiss government is to continue with its Gen-Lex initiative which will coordinate existing regulations on genetic engineering.

Switzerland is to vote on a proposal which, if passed, would impose severe restrictions on genetic research. Switzerland already has laws protecting animals which are more restrictive than those in force elsewhere. The Gene Protection Initiative could result in the banning of patents for transgenic plants and animals, the release of transgenic life forms, and the acquisition and production of transgenic animals. This would have serious implications for scientific research.

Switzerland is to hold a referendum on genetic research in Jun 1998. Voters have to decide on a proposal to ban research using animals that have been genetically modifed, and field trials using genetically modified plants. Students who support genetic engineering have set up an organization called Genepeace. An opinion poll has given no clear indication of the outcome of the referendum. The Swiss pharmaceutical industry has lobbied against the proposal.

In Switzerland, a proposal is being voted on next year that, if accepted, will result in the constitutional prohibition of gene manipulation. The ban would encompass the use and patenting [...]

A US House of Representatives committee has authorized funding for the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and the International Space Station at the European laboratory for Particle Physics in Switzerland. However the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will have to meet strict requirements if Russian involvement is to continue, including a regular report on the timeliness of Russian obligations.

Swiss scientists are anxious about the cost involved in Switzerland's proposed participation in the European Union's fourth five-year Framework program. Hans Peters Hertig, general secretary of the Swiss National Science Foundation, feels that Swiss participation should not cut down the funding for basic research at home. A definite solution is yet to be reached by the federal government which faces a financial crunch.

A new program on research in applied biodiversity may counter the Swiss National Science Foundation's (NF's) accusations of preference for academic projects. Non-academic ecologists believe that their non-representation in the NF's grant-committee has resulted in a lack of adequate funding for this project and that funding appropriation is favorably biased toward university-based groups.

Two recently published reports on Swiss science have shown that Switzerland excels in physics and biomedical research, with 64% and 61% citation rates in these respective fields. However, the rates for clinical medicine and mathematics are only 43% and 34%, respectively. These figures willbe used to grade performance and determine future funding, with less money going to capital-intensive fields like physics, and more to areas deemed to be of more national importance. The reports also cite the high Swiss patent rates but cautions on the Swiss status in high technology, which lags behind its international competitors.

The Swiss government has reacted to the large federal budget deficit by reneging on promised increases for scientific research. The Swiss National Science Foundation will only receive half of the 9.5% increase it was promised in 1991. A 3% increase in the federal contribution to university research compares with the 23% increase promised for 1993 and will only just keep pace with inflation.

Switzerland's voters endorsed a new law on reproductive medicine and biotechnology by a 74% majority on May 18, 1992. The law limits the use of in vitro fertilization, embryo transfer, manipulation of embryos and prohibits the insertion of non-human genetic material into the human genome. However, Swiss scientists were pleased that the law for the most part permits genetic engineering to continue. Since the law's standards on biotechnology are ambiguous, anti-biotechnology groups are already working for a tougher law.

Bern - The old maxim, 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' is lost on Heinrich Ursprung, head of the Science Agency in the Swiss interior ministry. Take virtually any [...]