Opinion in 1997

The ITER partners must acknowledge that the world has changed since the project's inception, and reconsider what they want from collaboration on magnetic confinement fusion.

The verification of the CTBT will provide data whose open availability would serve scientists and defence interests.

Last week's UN meeting in New York was a salutary lesson in the realities if environmental politics

Those who study natural phenomena that pose risks to society need to work more closely with social scientists to ensure their science is put into practice. Such cooperation could also boost their funding prospects.

Authorship of a scientific paper is a privilege that is all too easily abused. Attempts to solve the problem with general rules encounter insurmountable obstacles, but individual accountability is unavoidable.

Last week's report of a possible genetic basis to an individual's ability to handle complex social situations highlights the importance of developing frameworks to ensure that genetic information is used responsibly

Guidelines for handling allegations of scientific fraud are essential to preserve the reputation of science

Preparations for the next global meeting on climate change, to be held in Kyoto in December, provide countries with an excuse to devise sound economic policies that make sense both scientifically and environmentally.

A new mood of optimism can be found in many parts of Russia's scientific community that has been absent for much of the past five years. But it must not be allowed to turn into complacency; many hurdles remain.

As it nears the transfer of its governance to China, Hong Kong is hampered by the consequences of historical short-sightedness. Its technological future depends on substantial investment and continuing freedoms.

A decision by the French national bioethics committee to recommend a ban on human cloning for reproductive purposes sets a dangerous precedent, pre-empting a much-needed public debate.

Science studiers and their scientist critics should concentrate on constructive engagement.

The United States needs a credible and far-sighted body to provide the government with forthright advice on scientific priorities. Scientists should support the National Science Board in its efforts to fulfil this task.

Britain's Labour party still needs to show how it intends to put science 'at the heart of government'.

Britain's Labour government has given notice of its opposition to a new European 'superstate'. But the dangers should not obscure the advantages of mutual support in building up Europe's scientific infrastructure.

The reaction to a tritium leak on Long Island threatens US government laboratories with the last thing they need.

Governments on both sides of the Atlantic seem under-prepared to defend the Large Hadron Collider from its critics in the US Congress

Circulars intended to notify astronomers of new detections should not be used to stake researchers' claims.

All of Japan's semi-government research and development needs critical re-examination.

The Labour party is expected to win the election in the United Kingdom next week, but it has so far provided little to inspire researchers. The challenges that face it are chronic and require management with insight.