The MCG programme is a joint programme of the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) and the Netherlands Genomics Initiative (NGI). The programme was started in 2002 to formulate and develop the social component of the genomics-research. The MCG programme stimulates research on the societal impact of genomics from the standpoint of social science, economy, law and ethics. Key topics focus on the mutual interaction between genomics on the one hand and on the other hand the foundations and organization of our society, the self-image of individuals and how we deal with animals, nature and the environment. The MCG programme will come to an end in 2008. Looking back, it is clear the programme has been a very successful undertaking. It has succeeded in putting the need for societal research into genomics and its applications on the agenda of the genomics community, social scientists, ethicists, economists and philosophers. It has enabled a broad array of research projects that have probed into completely new fields, asked innovative questions and resulted in a substantial body of knowledge. 
Furthermore, the MCG programme has also been pivotal in building a new community
of researchers working on genomics in all its aspects. Through funding a large number of research projects, mostly Ph.D. and postdoc - projects, at universities and institutes throughout
the Netherlands, the MCG programme has created a new network of researchers from different areas. It has brought people with completely different backgrounds together to exchange views and ideas. The resulting research community, together with the generated body of knowledge has provided a strong basis developing international activities, especially within the EU where the Netherlands
take a leading position in this field.
Until 2009 the programme was led by the MCG Programme committee: |
