CORPORATE INFORMATION
"Ways of engaging the public in debate on scientific issues, like
the applications of genetic technology, are desperately needed. The
way not to do it is for the media to provide images of scientists and
their creations as monsters. But a highly imaginative theatrical venture
by Y Touring theatre company may have found a brilliant solution."
Prof Lewis Wolpert The Independent
Can you believe what the media tells you?
What is Genetic Futures News?
The pace of discovery in the life sciences is breathtaking. The Human
Genome Project is laying bare the genetic underpinnings of human health,
while neuroscience is revealing the biological basis of perception,
memory and behaviour. Biomedical research promises to deliver substantial
benefits, but also poses unprecedented questions for society. Where
do you go to for the truth?
YTouring Theatre Company (www.ytouring.org.uk) , an operation of Central
YMCA, recognised the potential impact of these remarkable developments
and between 1995 and 2002, , in partnership with the Wellcome Trust
and other organisations, commissioned, developed and produced UK wide
tours of five theatre of debate programmes about contemporary biotechnology.
The aim was to engage young people and adults, through original, agenda
free theatre and drama in an informed debate about the ethical issues
posed by biomedical research and the human genome project. This was
just the beginning.
From live to digital
In 2001 Y Touring Theatre Company received a New Opportunities Fund
award to digitalise this groundbreaking Creating the Debate programme.
Now consisting of 5 original plays, debates and resources, all inspired
by the ethical issues raised by current biomedical research.
To deliver the digitalisation programme Y Touring commissioned Maverick
Television to work in association with Y Touring to digtiise the plays
and supporting resources for the web. This site is the result. Each
play and resource has been transformed into a series of fictionalised
news stories with video, audio and text – the end result meaning
that you can choose how much information you want to find out at any
one time.
The Plays
Each play is supported by a discussion forum and a resource pack, written
in consultation with scientists, doctors, and patients.
• The Gift by Nicola Baldwin
Genetic selection
• Pig in the Middle by Judy Upton
Xenotransplantation (animal to human transplants)
Developed in partnership with the Nuffield Council on bioethics.
• Cracked by Nicola Baldwin
The biological basis of mental illness and depression in particular.
• Sweet as you are by Jonathan Hall
Genetic modification of crops
funded by the John Innes Centre and the Teachers-Scientists Network.
It won a Fringe First at the Edinburgh Festival
• Learning to Love the Grey by Jonathan Hall
Cloning and stem cell therapy
• Making Astronauts by Jonathan Hall
Genetics and Behaviour
To date, over 106,000 young people, teachers, governors, parents, scientists
and members of the public, UK wide, have seen these programmes. The
Gift has been adapted for television by Zenith Productions, funded by
the Wellcome Trust. Sweet as you are has been filmed by the BBC. Pig
in the Middle has been translated into Dutch and toured throughout Holland
funded by the Rattneau Institute. In addition Maverick Television in
association with Y Touring has recently finished producing a three part
adaptation of Learning to Love the Grey and a three part drama Making
Astronauts commissioned by the Open University’s Open Science
Programme.
Credits
For Y Touring
Nigel Townsend Artistic Director/Executive Producer
David Jackson General manager
Hannah Phillips Associate Director Education
Derek Barnes Casting Director
Nicola Baldwin Playwright
Jonathan Hall Playwright
Judy Upton Playwright
Ben Dickens Designer
For Maverick Television
Jonnie Turpie Executive Producer
Gemma Wicks Project Coordinator
Clare Welch Production Manager
Katy Connor Digital Video Coordinator
Francois Gandolfi Digital Video Editor
Simon Horton Digital Video Director
Mos Bhatti Technical Director
Dan Lawson Asset coordinator
Alex Coffey Production Accountant
For Mademedia
www.mademedia.co.uk
Links
Y Touring; Maverick
television; Mademedia;
The Wellcome Trust; Office
of Science and technology;
Nuffield Council on bioethics; John
Innes Centre; Central YMCA;
New Opportunities Fund
Our Sponsors
NOF - New Opportunities Fund
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