prof. dr. Tj. de Cock Buning

Curriculum Vitae Tjard de Cock Buning

Publications Tjard de Cock Buning: see metis.vu.nl

Miscellaneous information

Dr. de Cock Buning is Professor of Applied Ethics in Life Sciences and works in the Department of Biology & Society. He studied Biophysics (neurophysiology) and Philosophy at Leiden University, the University of Tokyo University and the University of Amsterdam.

Before joining the Department of Biology & Society at the VU University Amsterdam, he received a named professorship for researcg regarding animal testing at the Faculty of Veterinary Science at Utrecht University and at the Medical Faculty of Leiden University. Within the department he focuses on areas where biological innovations raise ethical questions and demand adequate government policy.

Dr. de Cock Buning is a member of several governmental commissions (CBD, Cogem, CCD), advising on social issues such as the use of animals in testing, biotechnology and social entrepreneurship. He is also President of the United General Institution Ethics Commission of Wageningen University.

"Nothing seems certain in a field where innovations abound, scientists seem to contradict each other and age old notions at the core of our value system are challenged every day. In this chaos, preconceptions and half-truths reign. I consider it a challenge to make sense of the non-sense and to help build a conceptual structure from which positive steps forward can be made jointly."

"I ask a lot from my students and employees. It is very difficult to put your own interests aside and devote yourself to furthering a really open, constructive and informed dialogue, which respects al viewpoints, and ultimately will benefit all. But it is an exciting dialogue, and it is instructive to witness the changes in peoples attitudes and reasoning when they grasp that what is at stake here concerns all people - not just those living now, but also those who come after us."

Bijzondere leerstoel

Toegepaste ethiek in de Biologie