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Suggestions from the World Conference on Science on developing policies for science should be complemented by attention to the parallel task of building science into wider government policies, according to Sir Robert May, Britain's chief scientific adviser.

According to May, the public must have confidence in the way that science advice feeds into policy making. Policies must therefore be developed to take account of the benefits and opportunities that stem from advances in scientific knowledge, as well as caution about the potential risks.

Scientific specialists should join with others in open and wide-ranging consultations that identify, rather than exclude, particular interests and conflicts of interest, and place them in a broader perspective.

“At the same time, the fact that science, and the major issues that science and technology address, are becoming increasingly international, means that such issues need to be tackled co-operatively by all nations,” says May.

May urges governments to develop their procedures for incorporating scientific advice into policy making. They should establish ways of enabling the early anticipation and identification of issues for which scientific advice or research will be needed.

Governments should be able to draw on a range of expert sources, and involve them in framing and assessing policy options. Experts from other countries or international advisory mechanisms should be involved wherever possible.

“The challenge for the Budapest conference is to focus on reaching practical proposals on these and other issues,” says May. “It must not set over-ambitious objectives, while whatever emerges should be of practical value, identifying the extent and cost implications of any commitments reached.”

He warns that implementing elements of the proposed draft Framework for Action could lead to the creation of “unnecessarily duplicative” follow-up groups. Given the diverse aspirations and resources of the participants, however, it is unlikely that any participant will attempt everything that is set out in the Framework, says May.

“Rather, they are likely to adopt a piecemeal approach, a bit like selecting from a menu. The task of those participating in the Budapest meeting is to ensure that this menu is both tasty and nutritious.”

Full text: http://helix.nature.com/wcs/c22.html