SciCom

Aidan Gilligan is CEO of SciCom. A Science Diplomat batting for the underdog & championing ‘evidence-based policy-making above policy-biased evidence-making’!

[Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa (SDCfA) @africascidip]

The Ethics Declaration for the Human Exposome

On 17th June, the Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa hosted 30 individuals to start the process of drafting an ethical framework to underpin the Human Exposome Project (HEP) at the South African Mission to the EU in Brussels, Belgium. The opportunity was also used to commemorate the life of South African, Prof. Julian Kinderlerer, former President of the European Group on Ethics (1944 - 2026).

Sponsored by the Transatlantic Think Tank for Toxicology, Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa & @dstigovza Department of Science, Technology and Innovation & supported by the International Network for Governmental Science Advice (@INGSciAdvice ) & Global Exposome Forum , the event was Chaired by Thomas Hartung & moderated by DDG @daandutoit , Eudy Mabuza, Denis Sarigiannis, David Budtz Pedersen PhD, Caradee Wright PhD and Nathalie Moll.

The group came up with a 20-point blueprint for the ethical design, conduct, governance, interpretation & use of human exposome research at the boundary between science, society & policy.

This draft will be discussed on 17/7 at @UNESCO before its December Tshwane, Pretoria release at Science Forum South Africa 2026.

A full media & public information campaign is targeted in 2027 around @aaas Chicago, World Science Forum @WorldSciForum Istanbul & WCSJ 2027 @wcsj2027 London.

The Human Exposome Project (HEP) seeks to characterise the totality of environmental exposures across the life course & to understand their biological consequences. In doing so, it provides the environmental counterpart to the revolutionary, $3 billion Human Genome Project launched in 2003, while aiming to surpass it in scope for two reasons:

Firstly, genes account for only 10 - 20% of disease, while our biological, chemical & environmental exposures accounts for 80% +. These influences from the air we breathe, the food we eat & the chemicals we touch, to the education we receive, the salary we earn & the housing we benefit from, all drive non-communicable diseases.

Secondly, the ethical legitimacy of the HEP depends on genuine global inclusion. The Human Genome Project’s widespread success largely benefitted a coalition of wealthy countries. We aim to support the goal for developing countries to benefit as much from the HEP.

The very features that make Exposomics powerful also make it ethically demanding. ~ @SciComEU

If exposome science is to achieve its promise for public health, it must not only be innovative, but just; not only technically powerful, but democratically accountable; and not only global in reach, but equitable in voice, governance, & benefit.

Good exposome science must be socially legitimate, scientifically rigorous & institutionally accountable.

[SciCom @SciComEU]

G20, the 1st leg of the three-legged stool showcasing the best of SA & African science, technology, innovation + equity & social justice. The 2nd is @ScienceForumSA from 25-28/11 the 3rd is @wcsj2025 from 1-5/12. AI is the common denominator, but it stands for #AfricanInnovation

[Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 @CyrilRamaphosa]

We affirm the historic nature not only of the first summit of the G20 to take place on African soil, but also of this Social Summit, a gathering of peoples from across the world.

https://t.co/aHKp8YkJ27

[Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 @CyrilRamaphosa]

We affirm the historic nature not only of the first summit of the G20 to take place on African soil, but also of this Social Summit, a gathering of peoples from across the world.

https://t.co/aHKp8YkJ27

[Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa (SDCfA) @africascidip]

South Africa & @GESDAglobal are preparing leaders for a future powered by AI, quantum tech & neurotech.
19–22 Sept | @CSIRICC
At #ALW2025, decision-makers will learn to anticipate and manage disruptive technologies for human prosperity.
@dstigovza @CSIR #ScienceDiplomacy #G20SA

[SciCom @SciComEU]

@SciChefQC @economie_quebec Big shoes to fill 🙌

[SciCom @SciComEU]

What’s the brain chemistry science on this? @WillStewNeuro @SciChefQC @dominiqueleglu @JNCudmore https://t.co/nmnN4Pi3ql

[Mohamed Salah @MoSalah]

Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?

[SciCom @SciComEU]

@WillStewNeuro Thought of you Willy as soon as I heard the news. Leading by example. Literally using his brain. Hopefully he gets the 3rd test cause he’s definitely a first pick. Just one minor correction, it’s now officially the #Irish&BritishLions 😁

[Dr Willie Stewart @WillStewNeuro]

"BBC News - #Ringrose doesn't realise magnitude of his call"

Thank you for leading by example Garry

#concussion
#IfInDoubtSitThemOut
#BritishandIrishLions

https://t.co/nJNgmhAwwr

[SciCom @SciComEU]

@hotspurreports Yes

[SciCom @SciComEU]

The centuries old principles of human dignity, autonomy, the right to life & to protection must prevail if a semblance of democracy is to remain intact. This UK act is commendable 🙏 @Keir_Starmer @EmmanuelMacron @HelenClarkNZ @vonderleyen @antonioguterres https://t.co/zgpQF0Hcai

[SciCom @SciComEU]

It’s not often you get to say ‘I was there when it started’ but the Human Exposome Project to map 80+% of chronic disease is mega. You’re going to be hearing a lot about it, get involved 🙏 @HelenClarkNZ @daandutoit @PeterGluckman @INGSciAdvice @SciChefQC https://t.co/t78gPwWXze

[SciCom @SciComEU]

Such positivity around today’s DC Human Exposome Project Forum igniting conversations about how best to get this mapping done. @SciChefQC @PresINGSA stood strong standing up for globality, inclusion, no country left behind @INGSciAdvice @africascidip @DenisNaughten @IngsaAfrica

[President of INGSA, Rémi Quirion @PresINGSA]

We have seen with GMOs & Stem Cells how difficult it can be to get everybody on-board when new technology trains are fast leaving the station. Science can get ahead of itself and the dialogue between experts, policy-makers and end-user citizens has never been straight-forward.

[SciCom @SciComEU]

Get ready for the biggest new word in science: Exposome! Everybody’s going to be talking about it, a global initiative, The Human Exposome Project @SciChefQC @JeremyFarrar @AASciences @UNESCO @ThomasHartung19 @INGSciAdvice @JHUPress @PresINGSA @EurekAlert https://t.co/t78gPwWXze

[Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa (SDCfA) @africascidip]

Only one day left. The call for proposals for sessions for the World Conference of Science Journalists 2025 closes tonight at 24:00 . Visit https://t.co/7JECjF8ne3 to submit now!
@wcsj2025 @WFSJ @dstigovza @SAEditorsForum
@npclub @SasjaSA @safreasocial

[Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa (SDCfA) @africascidip]

Submission of session proposals for https://t.co/HxY09wUdAv has been extended to 5 May 2025! Submit now under the theme “Science journalism and social justice: journalism that builds understanding and resilience” @WFSJ @wcsj2025 @SasjaSA @SAEditorsForum @StelliesJourn @npclub

[Boris Johnson @BorisJohnson]

What a surprise - Putin rejects an unconditional ceasefire. He wants to keep bombing and killing innocent Ukrainians. He wants Ukraine disarmed. He wants Ukraine neutralised. He wants to make Ukraine a vassal state of Russia. He isn’t negotiating. He’s laughing at us.

[Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa (SDCfA) @africascidip]

The Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa is committed to collaboration with initiatives under the European Framework for Science Diplomacy, driving global cooperation through science & innovation. 🔗https://t.co/3523yybRiL
#EuropeanUnion #EU #ScienceForDiplomacy

[SciCom @SciComEU]

@BrigidLaffan @guardian Read it. You went too easy 😁 I wrote my thesis at the @collegeofeurope in 96-97 on Irish neutrality as a misplaced, patriotic, island-mentality ‘sham’. Nothing’s changed. Must dig out my Garrett Fitzgerald interview tapes. Happy to share 🙌