A new strategy for addressing climate change takes a realistic approach to the challenge of making science useful, says Ryan Meyer.

Questions have been raised about the transparency and scientific quality of regulatory processes applied in the first open field releases of genetically modified (GM) insects, and there is concern that inappropriate precedents have been set, particularly through generic risk assessments covering multiple species and technologies.

Controlling who is allowed access to information about mutations in the H5N1 bird flu virus is unacceptable, says Peter Palese.

The UK government hopes to squeeze even more out of science — without paying a penny extra. (Editorial)

Even Japan’s political leaders struggle to get answers regarding the Fukushima disaster. It is just the latest example of the government’s lack of independent scientific advice. (Editorial)

A simplification of the US patent system is good news for inventors, but could have gone further. (Editorial)

For more than two hundred years, the world has discussed the issue of whether to continue the process of patenting or whether to do away with it. Developed countries remain polarized for various reasons but nevertheless the pro patent regime continued. The result was a huge volume of patents. The present article explains the implications of excessive volume of patents and conditions under which prior art search fails. This article highlights the importance and necessity of standardization efforts so as to bring about convergence of views on patenting.

UK lays out first framework to govern ethically sensitive research field.

http://www.nature.com/news/2011/110727/full/475438a.html

The time is right, says Martin Bobrow, to improve the governance of research involving animals that contain human genetic or cellular material.

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v475/n7357/full/475448a.html

Regulators must look past visceral disgust about human–animal hybrids. Strict but sensible rules are needed for research on hybrid embryos and chimaeric animals that could produce therapies. (Editorial)

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v475/n7357/full/475423a.html