On June 2nd the National Academic Press made an interesting strategic choice in making all of its publications available for free download.

The National Academic Press has a back catalogue of over 4000 reports and publications covering an array of topics from agriculture, energy conservation, engineering, food and nutrition and policy for science and technology.

Many of these publications address topics and issues that have been raised on the Bassetti Foundation website, and the following are just a few of those that may be of interest to our readers.

This 2010 report addresses the problems of home genetic testing raised during a workshop held in April of that year and very much mirrors the reflections that have taken place recently here at the Foundation.

This 2009 publication reviews the Federal Strategy for Nanotechnology-Related Environmental, Health, and Safety Research and offers some interesting suggestions regarding risk assessment and management whilst conducting nanotechnology research.

An interesting looking publication is available entitled On Being a Scientist: A Guide to Responsible Conduct in Research. This best seller is already in its third edition and is certainly worthy of a browse through its chapters.

A further report addresses the complicated and thorny problem of conflicts of interest in medicine, medical research and the health system and also makes some interesting recommendations aimed at making the industry more transparent.

Heavy duty, well written and informative documents all available for free download.