Science in Europe in 1973

A meeting held in Madrid last month highlighted one of the chief problems with Spanish science—whether to concentrate limited resources on buying in technical knowledge or to establish a really viable Spanish research capability.

Last week the reality of a European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Heidelberg came closer with the signing in Geneva of the agreement to establish it.

With planning soon to start on the Seventh Plan, it is becoming clear that several of the policies enshrined in the Sixth Plan have been abandoned.

The chairman of the Irish National Science Council describes the organization of research and development in a small country with a modest science budget.

The past few months have been a critical time for science policy within the Community. Commissioner Spinelli's policy for science has not found favour with the European countries and a reappraisal of science policy is currently being carried out. In this article the difficulties surrounding the making of a science policy for the Community are analysed.

Computing points the way which must be followed by other industries before true European collaboration can be realized. Mr Maurice Allegre, who has been closely involved with France's “Plan Calcul” indicates in this article the way in which a new progressive change in attitude can lead to the effectiveness necessary in such a competitive sphere.

One way in which international cooperation in research and development can be fostered is through organizations like TNO. This article discusses the work of that body in the context of Dutch science generally.

The president of the German Research Society describes how scientific research is carried out and financed in the Federal Republic of Germany.

The future of the European Space Research Organization is well defined but the remainder of Europe's space programmes are still in a state of flux.

Non-governmental bodies have an important part to play in bringing about increased scientific mobility. International cooperation can gain very much from goodwill among scientists.