Ethical questions arising from developments in modern biology, such as If we are genetically determined, where is free will? Is it right for humans to create new foods? and Should organizations be allowed to hold the keys to the production of vast amounts of food globally in the form of a patent? are discussed in this collection of presentations from the 2004 European Commission sponsored conference "Modern Biology and Visions of Humanity." Organized into four sections, the contributions from this event reflect on the complex relationship between science and society and touch on such subjects as what are the benefits of science, who decides its uses, and how science relates to other areas of human creativity. Leading figures in the worlds of science and the arts take sides in these essays in either promoting the products and services biology provides, challenging biology's vision of humanity, or questioning the whole approach of Western science from a political perspective.

European Union Advisory Group on Life Sciences is a group of eminent scientists who advise the European Commission on matters pertaining to life sciences.