Commentary in 1997

A scientific consensus that humans are influencing the climatewill be behind any agreements on greenhouse-gas reductions nextmonth. But how can climate research have an optimal influenceon climate policy in the future?

A recent earthquake near a former Soviet nuclear test site has tested mechanisms for monitoring the test-ban treaty. Technical systems passed with flying colours, but relevant US agencies could have done better.

Partnerships between insurance companies and climate scientists are a model for how academic science can provide value to business. These partnerships benefit both businesses and scientists, as well as the wider public.

The scientific enterprise is full of experts on specialist areas but woefully short of people with a unified world-view. This state of affairs can only inhibit progress, and could threaten political and financial support for research.

Harmful algal blooms are a serious and increasing problem in marine waters, yet scientists and funding agencies have been slow to investigate possible control strategies.

It is poor science to use inappropriate strains of rodents in badly designed and inefficient experiments for testing the safety of chemicals. It is also costly and unethical because greater numbers of laboratory animals are needed.

Japan's universities need strong leadership to give young scientists, foreign staff and women the opportunities that are denied them. Academics should have more of a sense of crisis over what is an unacceptable situation.

Six years after the end of Communist rule in Russia, attempts to reform Russian science have produced a mixed scorecard. There have been some substantial achievements, but there is still need for further changes.

Biotechnology and the European Public Concerted Action This article has been written by an international team of researchers working as part of a Concerted Action of the European Commissions (B104-CT95-0043) administered on behalf of Directorate General XII by Andreas Klepsch. For details see box overleaf. Address for correspondence: G. Gaskell, Department of Social Psychology, London School of Economics, Houghton Street, London WC2A 2AE, UK (e-mail: gaskell@se.ac.uk). Throughout Europe, there is widespread lack of trust in the ability of governments and other public authorities to deal effectively with people's concern about biotechnology applications.

In the first-ever analysis of peer-review scores for postdoctoral fellowship applications, the system is revealed as being riddled with prejudice. The policy of secrecy in evaluation must be abandoned.

Bringing old building stock into line with modern standards of earthquake-resistant design is a daunting and expensive task. But the damage caused by the Kobe earthquake shows that doing nothing will be even more costly.

A permanent decline in global oil production rate is virtually certain to begin within 20 years. Serious planning is needed to deal with the economic consequences.

At a time when the number of biotechnology-based patent applications is soaring, it is essential that the law allows a significant 'experimental-use' exemption. The United States urgently needs to modify its legislation in this area.

Science is in a parlous state – passing fashions, a star system and the new cult of management have combined to strangle originality. The ethics of V. B. Wigglesworth offer a cure.

US government proposals for maintaining competence in nuclear weapons while observing a test ban have serious flaws. An approach based on remanufacturing proven weapons when necessary offers significant advantages.

Scientific knowledge is a communal belief system with a dubious grip on reality, according to a widely quoted school of sociologists. But they ignore crucial evidence that contradicts this allegation.