Qatar Foundation wishes to stimulate the growth of a research culture in Qatar, and recognizes the need to ensure that its research programs do not exist in isolation, but are fully integrated with the country's development into an advanced knowledge-based society. To facilitate this process it is collaborating with bodies of international stature that possess relevant experience and expertise.

James A Baker III Institute for Public Policy

The repercussions of scientific advances often reach far beyond the specialist community, and research methods themselves can inspire sharp controversy. For these reasons research should be conducted within a context of public policy and regulation that take account of international protocol, ethics and religious beliefs.

One such area is stem cell research, especially the creation of human embryonic stem cells.

In November 2007 Qatar Foundation entered into a partnership with the world-renowned James A Baker III Institute for Public Policy to assist in connecting stem cell research with science and health policy at an international level.

One of the first priorities of the project will be to establish a formal advisory panel, consisting of experts in the fields of ethics, stem cell science and science policy.

The programe will involve collaboration with scholars, scientists and medical researchers from the James Baker Institute, Rice University, Texas Medical Center and other distinguished medical and academic institutions in the United States and elsewhere.

It will lead to the inaugural Qatar International Stem Cell Conference in 2009, bringing together key researchers, ethicists, policymakers, business leaders and opinion shapers.

A national bioethics advisory committee will be established, comprising representatives of medicine, religion, biotechnology, genetics, law, bioethics and the general public, to evaluate the medical, ethical and social implications of reproductive cloning, cloning technologies and stem cell work.

There will be opportunities for students and scholars from Qatar to benefit from a fellowship program with the James Baker Institute in order to gain first-hand insights into policy-making and research in the field of stem cells.

The Royal Society of London

Qatar Foundation and The Royal Society of London are working together to promote better understanding of scientific research in Qatar, the United Kingdom, and internationally.

Their initiatives include:

• A Distinguished Lecture Series on a broad array of topics
•  International conferences on policy issues concerning energy, climate and the environment