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Drug addiction is one of the greatest problems facing European public health authorities. Advances in drug addiction research have focused mostly on the neurobiological aspects of the disease, but now promising new technologies are enhancing our ability to understand and treat drug addiction. A wide range of health tools for drug addiction recovery is available on the internet: information and education websites; assessment and psychotherapeutic software; comprehensive self-help programmes; and social network therapeutic communities. Use of such tools on smartphones and other mobile devices is known as mobile health (mHealth). The utilisation of new technologies in drug addiction treatment and research has generated interest, curiosity and expectation, but also concerns regarding the ethical aspects of their use. Source: © European Union - EP

What if new-born babies were given a DNA report card that predicted their intelligence, their odds of getting a PhD, their chances of becoming a chain smoker or suffering depression, a heart attack or cancer? Today, a large amount of genetic data are available, involving millions of people. This wealth of information available to researchers is allowing them to create a polygenic risk score based on the DNA test of an individual. This predicts a person’s chance of getting a disease, his or her traits and behaviour. Are these predictions perfect? What if you do not want to know what could happen to you? What if these data were used or abused by others? Source: © European Union - EP

Facial recognition technology can identify a person in real time by instantaneously searching databases containing tens of millions of faces. What began as a tool to authenticate identity at airports and border crossings has sneaked its way to performing surveillance of human beings in their daily lives without their consent. What implications will these facial recognition techniques have, and in what way could there be a meaningful process of asking for prior consent from the people that are being identified by these technologies? Source: © European Union - EP

Allowing consumer electricity prices to fluctuate from one time of the day to another could help accelerate the transition towards renewable energies and drive down the costs of this transition. Electricity production from renewable sources, such as wind and solar energy, is expanding rapidly in Europe and around the world. However, integrating these fluctuating sources into the grid is increasingly becoming a challenge for grid operators that need to match electricity supply with demand. Switching over to a new electricity market system, where the demand would better adapt to the supply, could be crucial for the success of the transition towards a low-carbon society. Source: © European Union - EP

Genetic engineering is usually applied to individual plants and animals. But what if we could genetically engineer an entire species? Today techniques have progressed so far so as to make that feasible, allowing us to eradicate malaria and cure ecosystems from exotic pest species, while also bringing with it a host of ethical questions we should urgently ask ourselves. Source: © European Union - EP

Algorithms, are step-by-step procedure for solving a problem, usually expressed in computer code as a set of instructions for a computer to follow in order to complete a task. Day-to-day decisions around the world are increasingly based on data science techniques powered by machine learning algorithms that are gradually making a meaningful impact on human lives. For example, the operation of intermediary platforms that propose accommodation (AirBnB) or transportation alternatives (Uber) are extensively using algorithms. Algorithms implicitly or explicitly are not neutral as they comprise essential value-judgments that can potentially have race or sex biases. This raises an important question: is it possible to develop and ensure that algorithms are ethical? Source: © European Union - EP

The link between high consumption of trans fats, sugar and salt, found in high amounts in processed food, and an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), type 2 diabetes and various cancers is well established. In the current food market, calorie-rich, processed food, wrapped with ambiguous labels, is readily available, cheap and heavily promoted. But what if consumers could be prompted to make healthier food choices? Source: © European Union - EP

Technological systems, once introduced in a particular socio-economic context, often evolve in unforeseen ways and may fall prey to unexpected power relations. Blockchain, as a technology that relies on decentralisation to enable storing and securing data-based transactions without central administration, is currently facing significant centralisation pressures that may undermine the purpose of operating a decentralised blockchain network. But what if blockchain fulfilled its promise to be truly decentralised? Source: © European Union - EP

Exploring the relationship between ethics and technological innovation has always been a challenging task for policy-makers. Ethical considerations concerning the impact of Research and Innovation (R&I) are increasingly important, due to the quickening pace of technological innovation and the transformative potential and complexity of contemporary advancements in science and technology. The multiplication of legal references to ethical principles and the mushrooming of ad hoc ethics committees indicate the institutional embedding of ethics into the scientific research process as such, but also into an increasing array of technological trajectories. Yet the rapid development of disruptive technologies means that social and ethical norms often struggle to keep up with technological development. But what if disruptive technologies challenged traditional ethical norms and structures? Source: © European Union - EP

Existing legal structures may prove a poor match for new types of disputes raised by disruptive technologies. Can the legal system overcome the temporal gap between the emergence of a technology and the subsequent need for controlling its possible effects and retain both flexibility and responsiveness? What regulation is justified by a particular technology? How should a particular technology be regulated? How can law regulate uncertain and unknown futures in the face of limited knowledge? Source: © European Union - EP

Digital economy is under taxed when compared to traditional businesses. To address this issue Commission proposes new rules which would allow taxation based on digital rather than just physical presence. Source: © European Union - EP

As part of its ‘new deal for consumers’, in April 2018, the Commission proposed a new directive on modernisation of EU consumer protection rules. The directive would amend four of seven main horizontal directives that make the core of the EU consumer legislation and that apply to all sectors of economy and would focus on harmonising penalties for infringements and possibilities for individual consumer redress, increasing transparency on online marketplaces, extending protection for consumers of ‘free’ digital services and addressing the issue of dual quality of products. Source: © European Union - EP

The European Union is facing new security threats amid growing uncertainty about the reliability of some of its allies. As a consequence it has embarked on a general scale-up of its defence capabilities. A European defence action plan has been agreed and a European Defence Fund created to provide financial support, ranging from the research phase to the acquisition phase of military equipment and technologies. The present legislative proposal for EDIDP, which would be part of that fund, is destined to provide the European defence industry with financial support during the development phase of new products and technologies in areas selected at European level. Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) decided to open trilogue negotiations; these have been ongoing since 15 March 2018. Source: © European Union - EP

Crowdfunding, an open call to the wider public for raising money online, can help ensure that both individuals and companies get access to finance, especially in the early growth stages of their projects or business. Currently, different legislative frameworks are in force in the Member States of the EU, which results in cross-border investments remaining limited and service providers not scaling up their operations. To remedy this the Commission published recently two legislative proposals. Source: © European Union - EP

Εxploring the relationship between law, technological innovation and regulatory governance has always been a challenging task for policy-makers. Technologies are often seen as ordinary objects of formal law that can fit into the traditional doctrinal classification. But what if technologies were legal artefacts that question and challenge the traditional boundaries of legal thought? Some scholars even argue that technology is law, given that the employment of technology for control purposes in regulation provides opportunities to directly or indirectly shape human behaviour in legal terms. However, it is difficult to determine whether it is technology that challenges the law or the law that shapes or even predefines the development paths of new and emerging technologies. Source: © European Union - EP

Iran, Syria, North Korea, Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are among nearly 30 countries to be targeted by EU sanctions, among other things for nuclear weapons programmes, violations of democracy and human rights. Sanctions can be very painful for targeted countries, but do not always succeed in changing their behaviour. Source: © European Union - EP

Ten years has passed since the app economy was launched. Since then the apps evolved to play an increasingly important role in the life of citizens and became crucial to the success of many industries. Growing connectivity and availability of portable devices ensure that this trend will continue. Source: © European Union - EP

Social media platforms are often thought of as open and connected spaces, since they allow users to communicate with a wide range of people and organisations. However, unlike 'old fashioned' telephone and email networks, users cannot change provider without losing access to the entire network. A truly open and connected model for social media could help foster a more competitive market that is more responsive to challenges such as privacy and disinformation. Source: © European Union - EP

Magnetic levitation is based on the creation of opposite magnetic fields that repel each other to counteract gravity and elevate the magnetised objects off the ground. Could this energy-efficient technology revolutionise transport methods and systems? How can policy-makers ensure that the right conditions are put in place in order to facilitate its development? Source: © European Union - EP

The EU lawmakers have reached a provisional agreement on new civil aviation safety rules. The reform introduces risk and performance-based rules, includes the first-ever EU rules for civil drones, extends the European Aviation Safety Agency's mandate and provides for using existing resources more efficiently. The provisional agreement now needs to be confirmed by European Parliament in plenary. Source: © European Union - EP

Developing organic production is an EU policy objective. While the EU organic market is constantly expanding, only 6 % of total EU agricultural area is used for organic cultivation, and the difference between EU demand and production is covered by growing imports. To overcome the regulatory obstacles to the development of the sector and increase consumer confidence in the EU organic logo, the Commission adopted a proposal in March 2014 for a regulation on organic production and labelling of organic products, repealing the current framework dating from 2007. Following a series of trilogue meetings, the Maltese Presidency and the European Parliament reached a preliminary agreement on 28 June 2017. The Council's Special Committee on Agriculture endorsed the agreement, which the Parliament's Agriculture Committee subsequently approved on 22 November 2017. The full Parliament and Council now need to approve the text before the new regulation can enter into force.Source: © European Union - EP

How technology has shaped society and how future technologies might affect it in the years to come are subjects for frequent debate. It can be tempting in this context to think of technologies as neutral 'things' that can be used for good or bad depending on the user's intentions and skills. However, experts on the relationship between technology and society broadly agree that technologies are social objects that reflect and reinforce human activities and even political values. By scripting, restricting and enabling different human behaviours, technologies can influence our lives in much the same way that policy programmes do. Source: © European Union - EP

Despite significant progress for some social groups in the area of work-life balance, there has been a general trend of decline since 2011, and progress amongst Member States has been uneven. Attempting to compensate for the 2015 withdrawal of the proposal for an extended maternity leave directive, this proposed directive contains proposals for paternity, parental and carers' leave. It is complemented with non-legislative measures. Both the Council and the stakeholders are divided over the level of ambition and the implementation of the proposed measures. The EP (EMPL) that has been insisting on work-life balance measures over the years, is going to consider its draft report in the spring of 2018.Source: © European Union - EP

Could laboratory-grown meat be the answer to our environmental problems, and how would this impact on the EU agricultural sector? Source: © European Union - EP

Galileo and the European geostationary navigation overlay service (EGNOS) are two satellite navigation systems under civil control. Galileo shall guarantee to Europe an independent access to a reliable satellite signal, being at the same time more accurate than existing concurrence. The aim of EGNOS is to monitor, correct and improve the accuracy of current open signals (GPS, GLONASS) on a limited territory. Galileo and EGNOS were conceived in close cooperation with the European Space Agency. They are first infrastructures owned by the European Union. The EU allocated more than €7 billion from MFF 2014-2020 in order to reach the full operational capacity by the end of 2020.Source: © European Union - EP

On 7 July 2017, a special United Nations (UN) conference adopted the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Will this lead to the abolition of nuclear weapons, as supporters of the Treaty hope, or in fact weaken the global disarmament and non-proliferation regime, as opponents fear?Source: © European Union - EP

A new technique to simplify gene editing might herald a new era of genetic modification. What are the benefits and potential dangers of this technique, and how should policy-makers respond? Source: © European Union - EP

In the European Union (EU), responsibility for counter-terrorism lies primarily with Member States. However, the role of the EU itself in counter-terrorism has grown significantly in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks that have hit Europe in the post-'9/11' era. The cross-border aspects of the terrorist threat call for a coordinated EU approach. Moreover, the assumption that there is a connection between development and stability, as well as internal and external security, has come to shape the EU's actions beyond its own borders. In the context of terrorism, the EU has an extensive toolkit of human and financial resources that support third countries in managing or mitigating terrorist threats. A key element of EU action is capacity-building in partner countries, to ensure local ownership, a sustainable assistance model and the full use of local expertise for challenges that are geographically distinct.Source: © European Union - EP

Artificial intelligence (AI) systems already permeate daily life: they drive cars, decide on mortgage applications, translate texts, create artworks, play games, and intervene in conflict zones. The briefing explores the roots of the AI revolution that emerged from the combination of machine learning techniques and 'big data'. It also explores the current limitations of these systems: they are perform single tasks, can be biased and are opaque in their decision making. The development of AI systems requires adaptation of legal frameworks on the collection, use and storage of data. But more importantly, the key issue remains the level of autonomy given to AI systems to make decisions that could be life-changing. If the threat of a 'superintelligence' able to self-improve and dominate humans remains remains unrealistic, AI systems are expected to impact society, especially the job market, and could increase inequalities.Source: © European Union - EP

Organoids are artificially grown organs that mimic the properties of real organs. What new possibilities for treating diseases, drug development, and personalised and regenerative medicine do organoids provide?Source: © European Union - EP

The European Parliament's 'Committee of Inquiry to investigate alleged contraventions and maladministration in the application of Union law in relation to money laundering, tax avoidance and tax evasion' (PANA committee) was established in June 2016. Its report and the recommendation submitted for adoption by the European Parliament's December plenary session now pave the way for further monitoring and follow-up actions.Source: © European Union - EP

The introduction of the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) equipped European citizens with a new right to participate in EU affairs by asking the Commission to table new legislation. Since the ECI became operational in 2012, the Commission received 66 initiatives, out of which 4 were successful in collecting the required number of signatures. Various stakeholders suggested that the performance of this new tool remained below expectations as it is complex and difficult to use. To address these and other concerns, on 13 September, the Commission tabled a proposal to reform the ECI.Source: © European Union - EP

Established in 1988 by the European Parliament, the Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought is awarded each year in December to individuals or organisations for their outstanding achievements in upholding human rights and fundamental freedoms. By awarding the 2017 Prize to the Venezuelan Opposition, the Parliament denounces the situation in Venezuela, re-affirms its support to the democratically elected National Assembly, calls for a peaceful transition to democracy, and pays tribute to the Venezuelan people, in particular to those who have been unjustly jailed for expressing their opinions.Source: © European Union - EP

The EU has established a range of social measures applying to the road transport sector, which aim at improving drivers' working conditions, road safety and competition between road operators. To give real substance to these social measures, compliance is key. The 2006 Enforcement Directive was therefore adopted to effectively implement the social provisions of the 'Driving time' Regulation. The current proposal, published in the context of the 2017 European Commission 'Europe on the move' initiative, seeks to remedy some shortcomings of the Enforcement Directive, such as non-uniform implementation. Additionally, it puts forward specific rules on the posting of workers applying to the road sector, with a view to responding to concerns raised regarding the inadequacy of the Posting of Workers Directive provisions and administrative requirements, when applied to the road transport sector.Source: © European Union - EP

As part of its efforts to reduce transport emissions, the EU wants to make better use of inland navigation. This requires addressing the limited labour mobility and shortage of qualified workers in the sector. The proposed directive seeks to establish one competence-based system of qualifications for workers on all EU inland waterways. Ultimately, the new rules aim to make jobs in inland navigation more attractive. Parliament is due to vote on the proposal in plenary in November.Source: © European Union - EP

Returning more and more migrants with irregular status to their countries of origin has become a key European Union aim in efforts to reduce illegal migration. Despite its high political priority, reiterated in European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker's 2017 State of the Union address, the effective implementation of this objective is problematic, mainly due to resistance at the individual level, but also from the countries of origin. To make the return option more attractive for migrants with irregular status, the EU's return policy promotes voluntary returns through reintegration assistance packages. No less than 90 specific assisted voluntary return and reintegration programmes (AVRR) have been established by EU Member States, co-financed by the European Union, and implemented mainly by the International Organization on Migration (IOM).Source: © European Union - EP

The UN Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters is in the focus of two major documents issued in 2017. Both papers focus on access to justice. One has been published by the European Commission and examines the implementation of the convention in the EU-Member States. The other document has been published by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee and takes a critical look at implementation at EU Level. Both papers point to shortcomings, in particular with regard to the rights of non-governmental organisations.Source: © European Union - EP

Cultural and educational policies can contribute to the development of skills needed to cope with the complexity of contemporary multicultural societies, and to qualify for jobs in the fast-growing creative and cultural industries. In the EU, competence for culture and education policies lies with the Member States, though the EU plays a role too, by supporting them financially and supplementing and coordinating their efforts in this field.Source: © European Union - EP

EU industry seems to be on a solid path to recovery from the crisis with growth in both employment and value added. Industry creates jobs across the economy and is responsible for the bulk of investment in private research and development. Similarly to other developed parts of the world, European industry is undergoing a transformation based, among others, on increasing the convergence between traditional industries and the digital sector. This change creates both opportunities and challenges. In order to maintain the global competitiveness of European industry, many current shortcomings, such as insufficient investment levels, widening productivity and innovation gaps or skills shortages, must be addressed.Source: © European Union - EP

The Commission has envisaged integrated border management for several years, in response to increased traveller flows and the new security context. The Entry/Exit System proposed aims to set up a database where entry and exit information of third-country travellers is recorded. Following a political agreement with the Council, the Parliament is expected to vote on the texts in October.Source: © European Union - EP

The 3D-printing sector has proven its commercial viability in recent years, reaching the high street and, indeed, many homes. The technology is already used in some medical domains such as dentistry and prosthetics, and many scientists are now exploring methods of printing biological materials. Even if reports about lifesaving 3D-printed hearts are certainly premature, the technology has several medical applications.Source: © European Union - EP

What will be the impact of radio frequency identification tags, and other short-range communication devices, on how the Internet of Things transforms our way of life?Source: © European Union - EP

The 3D-printing sector has proven its commercial viability in recent years, reaching the high street and, indeed, many homes. The technology is already used in some medical domains such as dentistry and prosthetics, and many scientists are now exploring methods of printing biological materials. Even if reports about lifesaving 3D-printed hearts are certainly premature, the technology has several medical applications.Source: © European Union - EP

On 13 September 2017, the Commission presented recommendations to the Council to authorise the launch of free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with Australia and New Zealand. In October, the Parliament is due to debate reports by the Parliament's Committee on International Trade (INTA) on the proposed negotiating mandate for trade negotiations with Australia and New Zealand.Source: © European Union - EP

How can information technology contribute to alleviating traffic gridlock in our increasingly congested urban areas?Source: © European Union - EP

Cross-border provision of services in the EU is relatively common, and is undertaken by an increasing number of entities, especially in sectors such as construction and business. Despite this fact, many service-providers still face obstacles which stop them benefitting from comparable business opportunities available to local persons and organisations. The European Commission has a proposed a new regulation and accompanying directive aimed at tackling these remaining obstacles in EU markets, through the introduction of a European services e-card. This would increase and simplify cooperation between home and host Member States, as well as simplifying the procedures applicable to cross-border service-providers.Source: © European Union - EP

The EU customs union has become the world's largest trading bloc. While customs rules are the same across the EU, national customs authorities do not always apply them in a consistent manner. Therefore, the European Commission adopted its long-term plan to strengthen the governance and management of the EU customs union (December 2016). The Commission proposes structural and administrative changes, inter alia, on customs policy monitoring, formulation, and implementation. In addition, the Commission proposes to tackle administrative issues (e.g. application of EU law, competency building for custom officials, aligning new EU-wide IT systems on customs procedures), and border management coordination. Besides governance and administrative issues, the Briefing is also analysing the evolution of the customs union and Intra-EU trade, the new Union Customs Code (UCC) and the arrangements with participating third countries. Source: © European Union - EP

After a review of the EU legislation on passenger ship safety, the European Commission proposed a number of changes to simplify the existing rules and cut administrative costs, while making sea travel safer. This proposed directive clarifies technical requirements for construction, stability and fire protection of vessels travelling on domestic routes. The newly defined standards should provide for uniform national interpretations and make the rules easier to update, monitor and enforce.Source: © European Union - EP

The European Parliament is expected to vote during the October I plenary session on giving its consent to the proposed regulation on the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), agreed by 20 Member States under enhanced cooperation in June 2017.Source: © European Union - EP

The European Commission has launched an initiative aimed at providing free access to fast internet in local communities. The European Parliament is due to discuss and vote on WIFI4EU during its September plenary.Source: © European Union - EP

The EU's Common Position on arms exports is the only legally binding region-wide arrangement on conventional arms exports. While the Common Position has increased information-sharing and transparency of Member States' arms exports, scope remains to enhance convergence of national policies and for stricter implementation of the criteria defined in the EU text. Parliament is due to discuss a report on implementation of the Common Position during its September plenary session.Source: © European Union - EP