Human biology in international research programmes

This lecture draws to the attention of human biologists the opportunities that are available for their participation in international research programmes. Relevant past and present research programmes of the International Union of Biological Sciences are described, together with the larger programmes of the human genome initiative, and the international geosphere biosphere programme on global change of the International Council of Scientific Unions; and the smaller programmes of the World Health Organization and the Council of the European Community. Human biologists have much to contribute to such programmes, but, to do so, personal interests need to be tailored to the requirements of each specific programme.