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Essays: Science and politics
In a series of nine weekly essays, experienced advisers on science policy, including to the US, UK and Swedish governments, reflect on the highs and lows of being at the intersection of science and society. Do scientists devalue their advice to government by emphasizing uncertainty, the series asks, or is there a need for greater humility when science meets public disquiet?
Image: David Parkins
Essays
How the mighty have fallen
In 1957, science advisers were brought into the White House as the President's Science Advisory Committee. Its demise has deprived the US government
of invaluable counsel.
Richard Garwin
Nature 449, 543 (4 October 2007) doi:10.1038/449543a
When ministers are well primed
Enthusing and informing government members about science can have surprising and gratifying results.
Hans Wigzell
Nature 449, 663 (11 October 2007) doi:10.1038/449663a
Big lessons for a healthy future
This week's report on obesity policy in the United Kingdom highlights three challenges for scientists and politicians working together.
David A. King & Sandy M. Thomas
Nature 449, 791 (18 October 2007) doi:10.1038/449791a
Fishing for certainty
Science advisers should have confidence in their data, or risk being undermined by more dogmatic and vociferous stakeholders during the policy-making process.
Andrew A. Rosenberg
Nature 449, 989 (25 October 2007) doi:10.1038/449989a
Technologies of humility
Researchers and policy-makers need ways for accommodating the partiality of scientific knowledge and for acting under the inevitable uncertainty it holds.
Sheila Jasanoff
Nature 450, 33 (1 November 2007) doi:10.1038/450033a
A timely harvest
The public should be consulted on contentious research and development early enough for their opinions to influence the course of science and policy-making.
Pierre-Benoit Joly & Arie Rip
Nature 450, 174 (8 November 2007) doi:10.1038/450174a
Use the calm between the storms
To save lives and livelihoods, natural and social scientists must work with decision-makers and politicians in the time between natural disasters as well as during them.
Steve Sparks
Nature 450, 354 (15 November 2007) doi:10.1038/450354a
Accommodating dissent
Providing cures for health problems isn't enough, if people's personal or cultural beliefs clash with the scientific approach. Policy-makers must recognize and engage with these objections.
Melissa Leach
Nature 450, 483 (22 November 2007) doi:10.1038/450483a
The ethical regulation of science
Occasionally science makes procedures possible that are so radical that those at the interface between science and politics are called on to define moral standards for society.
Mary Warnock
Nature 450, 615 (29 November 2007) doi:10.1038/450615a
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