Planned work

The following projects have been approved by the Board, but work on them has not yet begun. 

• Surveillance of Internet Communications: this POSTnote will focus on the technology used to lawfully intercept communications data on the internet, and ways in which it can be evaded. The note will also compare different ways collected data can be stored, and look at whether it is possible to truly separate communications data from the content of messages.
• Epigenetics and health: this POSTnote will outline recent advances in knowledge about epigenetic factors and their role in disease and examine the potential for developing new treatments or public health policy based on such knowledge. It will also look at new sequencing technology such as nanopores which have the potential to directly read DNA methylation patterns rapidly and cheaply.
• Khat: this POSTnote will summarise the available evidence concerning the extent of khat use, its impact on physical health, likely social harms and the pros and cons of further controls on the drug.
• Cosmetic Procedures: this POSTnote will give an overview of the wide range of cosmetic procedures available, the associated risks to public health, the burden of adverse outcomes on the NHS and the ethical issues raised.
• Urban Green Infrastructure: this POSTnote will look at the different components of urban green infrastructure and the evidence base surrounding their effectiveness for the different claimed benefits.
• Update to Insect Pollination: this POSTnote will be an update on POSTnote 348, particularly on the progress of the projects funded under the 2010 LWEC Insect Pollinator Initiative and the findings of the recent Environmental Audit Comittee inquiry into insects and insecticides.
• Antimicrobial Resistance in the Environment: this POSTnote will look at potential sources of antimicrobial resistant pathogens being released into the environment, and investigate different mitigation measures that could be taken to prevent antimicrobial resistant pathogens being released.
• Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility: this POSTnote will give an overview of the scientific literature describing the development of the brain in childhood and adolescence and the resulting impact on a child's ability to make decisions and control behaviour. It will also give an overview of research examining the impact of a child's experience within the criminal justice system and how these factors might inform policy.
• Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Livestock: increasing awareness of livestock production as a source of GHGs has led to calls to reduce livestock numbers. However, there are a number of other genetic and nutritional options for reducing emissions from livestock. This POSTnote will outline these approaches and assess their likely contribution to reducing emissions. 
• Preventing Mitochondrial Disease: this POSTnote will describe new techniques developed to prevent mitochondrial diseases, look at potential alternative approaches and examine possible safety concerns.