Science and Society
Canada Foundation for InnovationOctober 24, 2006
Science and SocietyCanada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
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Why do we have science anyway?
To improve the human condition
To provide natural explanations of the nature and workings of the natural world
Whether we like the answers or not!
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Science is limited to human cognition of the objective world….
Lu Yonxiang, President, Chinese Academy of Science, 2005
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Baseline assertion:
Science and technology are ever-more imbedded in every aspect of modern life!
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Corollaries:
For people to prosper in modern society, they need fundamental understanding and comfort with S&T
For science to prosper and be maximally productive, the science-society relationship must be both positive and strong
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We have a problem
The science-society relationship is experiencing substantial tension
Is at risk of significant erosion
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As Charles Dickens would say…..
We’re living in the best of times
And the worst of times
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On the one hand
We’re living in the best of scientific times
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Advances in science are coming at a fantastic pace
The rate of incremental advance is accelerating
New technologies are enabling quantum jumps in understanding
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L. Chang, M.D., T. Ernst, Ph.D., O. Speck, Ph.D.Harbor-UCLA Medical CenterGenerating words (left brain dominant)
LeftLeft
RightRight
DorsalDorsal
VentralVentralAnteriorAnterior
posteriorposteriorLL
RR
LL
RR
SMASMA
Broca’s areaBroca’s area
Broca’s areaBroca’s area
Parietal CortexParietal Cortex
Functional MRI of a “normal” subject writing a talk
Chang, et al.
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Descartes
Mind and Body are InseparableMind and Body are Inseparable
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Descartes Freud
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On the other hand….
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Other issues within science are not going so well…and negatively affect the broader (societal) context for science
Incidents of scientific misconduct
Human subjects concerns
Animal welfare issues
Conflict of interest problems
“Publishing by press release”
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These are factors internal to science…
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The context for science and society is also influenced by external factors….
Government regulations, priorities and funding
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Events of 9/11/2001 dramatically affected science
Travel restrictions
New research priorities
Bioterrorism
Cybersecurity
Transportation safety
Food safety
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Much is now being influenced by a resurgence of the “SCIENCE-INNOVATION-ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS” factor
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American Competitiveness Initiative
Doubles funding over 10 years for physical sciences and engineering at NSF, DOE, NIST
Strengthens K-12 math and science education through teacher training and new curriculum materials
Makes R&D tax credit for industry permanent
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Many countries are recognizing the science-economy (jobs) imperative
US
Canada
China
India
European Union
Israel
Japan
Australia
Belgium
Sweden
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The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) is the epitome of a country recognizing this science-economy relationship!
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The science-innovation-economic factor emphasizes that all people need familiarity and comfort with science and technology
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Something else is going on in how people relate to science and technology
There’s increased tension in the relationship
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People generally still respect science and technology….
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US public’s view of scientific research
National Science Board, Science and Engineering Indicators - 2002
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But they have little understanding of what is and is not science
60% of Americans believe in extrasensory perception
41% think astrology is somewhat scientific
47% still do not answer “true” to the statement: “Human beings developed from earlier species of animals”
Science and Engineering Indicators, 2004
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What do Europeans consider as scientific?
Medicine – 89%
Physics – 83%
Astronomy – 70%
History – 34%
Astrology – 41%
Homeopathy – 33%
Source: Eurobarometer, 2005
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There’s a lesson here!
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People need to know about science as an enterprise
What makes something scientific?
The limits of scientific investigation
Natural explanations of the natural world
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There is increasing tension in the science-society relationship, in part because
A new dimension has been added to the public’s view of and behavior toward science and technology
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Historically, science and technology have been evaluated primarily on the basis of their costs/risks and benefits
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Now, values (and politics) are being overlaid onto “simple” risk/benefit calculations
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Scientific issues that abut against values
Embryonic stem cell research
Studying “personal” topics
Sex
“Intelligent Design” versus evolution in science classrooms and science museums
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Intelligent design claims to believe in gradual change
But a supernatural being guided the process
Claims to be a scientific, alternative theory to evolution
Advocates argue “teach both theories” in science classes
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The latest attempt to bring religion into the science classroom
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= “Intelligent design” initiative eruption
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Source: Miller, et. al. Science 313, 765 (2006).
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Many neuroscience issues abut against human values
The nature of the mind Mind-body-soul concepts
Free will vs. determinism
The ability for anyone to look into your brain and watch your mind in action Darkest secret thoughts
How to relate to brain disordered individuals Personal responsibility for your brain diseased
behavior
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Overlay of values is having serious consequences for the whole science-society relationship
Society wants to influence science
Rather than just the reverse
Creating a divide between science and the rest of society
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We can’t just “educate” our way out of it
The problem is not just lack of understanding
People do understand much of what we’re saying or want to do
They don’t like it
The conflict with their core values trumps their view of societal benefits
Only scientists are bound to “stick to the science”
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What can we do?
Continue protesting/lamenting the situation
Adopt a more assertive strategy
Engage with the public on the issues
Try to find common ground
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Public Understanding +
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Public Education +
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Communicating Communicating to the public with the public
We need to change not only the style and content but also the intent of the conversation:
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We need to hear from the public about:
Their concerns about science and technology and their concomitants
Risks and benefits
Encroachment on human values
Their priorities among research areas
Questions they would like or need us to answer
Help frame the research agenda
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The engagement movement is gathering substantial momentum
United Kingdom
European Union as a whole
Canada
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Fundamentals of effective engagement of the public with S&T:
Build relationships with stakeholders, striving to foster mutual confidence and respect. Be inclusive of diverse perspectives, sectors and
cultures.
Practice “active listening”
Build communication around issues informed by S&T, rather than specifics of the S&T itself.
Practice openness Put information, ideas and debate in the public realm
Science Communications and Opportunities for Public Engagement, Canadian Council of Science and Technology Advisors, 2003
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One can’t deal with
Evangelical fundamentalists
Evangelical atheists
Militant agnostics
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One can work with
Undecideds
Rational middle
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AAAS Public Engagement Programs
Dialogue on Science, Ethics and Religion (DoSER)
Center for Public Engagement with Science and Technology
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AAAS Center for Public Engagement with Science and Technology Town meetings
Family science days
Topical public workshops
Meet the scientists events
Broadcast opportunities
Partnerships with science museum and centers
Active outreach
Clubs
Residential communities
Religious institutions
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AAAS “Glocal” strategy
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Working with local opinion leaders and resources
Local media and op-eds
Clergy
School officials
Local government leaders/politicians
Science museums and centers
Community groups
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= “Intelligent design” initiative eruption
= AAAS intervention
Science and SocietyCanada Foundation for Innovation – October 24, 2006
56Donald Kennedy, Science, April 8, 2005
As we enter this difficult era for science and society
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We Need to Restore Equilibrium to the Science-Society Relationship
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