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21 Principles for Science: A Declaration of Interdependence for the 21st Century
Signed at Ottawa, 15 April 1999, by participants in the Graduate Seminar 'Science, Technology and International Affairs', Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada, as our contribution to the discussion leading up to the World Conference on Science, Budapest, Hungary, June 26 - July 1, 1999:
- There exists a freedom of scientific research. This freedom, which applies equally to the physical, natural and social sciences, must be respected. It includes the right to freely investigate, to communicate with one's peers, to publish research results, and to attend conferences both at home and abroad.
- The freedom of scientific research is neither absolute nor unfettered. Scientists must, for instance, where appropriate, acknowledge the contribution of others to their work. They must also cite their sources, refrain from plagiarism and avoid falsification of data and results. Similarly, they must refrain from experimenting on anyone without their knowledge and consent. These are universal principles.
- Scientific research should be conducted exclusively for peaceful purposes.
- Contrary to the current trend towards commercialisation of research, scientific knowledge should be disseminated freely and openly. Developing countries, in particular, require affordable and ready access to research results if they are to prosper in the next millennium.
- As part of their social contract, scientists should work for the betterment of society. They should strive to unravel the great challenges facing the world, including sickness and disease, loss of biodiversity, general environmental degradation, global warming, inequitable distribution of income and resources, and underdevelopment. Sustainable development is the ultimate goal.
- The public has a right to be involved in every stage of the scientific process, from the conception of a project to its ultimate completion. Scientists have a duty to provide this opportunity to the community.
- Every woman, man and child on the planet has a right to scientific knowledge, including a basic scientific education.
- Scientists should take a version of the Hippocratic oath: do no harm; always act in the interests of humanity.
- Women need to play a greater role in 'mainstream' international science. Their considerable contribution in the area of 'informal' knowledge systems also deserves greater recognition. Pay equity must be respected.
- Each country should make scientific research a priority on the national agenda. Aid budgets need to be reinforced so as to enhance scientific capacity in developing countries.
- The province of science includes not just the modern western concept of science, but also traditional, community-based and indigenous knowledge systems. Intellectual property rights need to be extended to these sui generis areas.
- There must be a better, long-term commitment to basic science in all countries. Alternative treatments are also worthy of research support.
- Institutions dedicated to multilateral scientific collaboration, including south-south cooperation, must be reinforced.
- Developing countries should pool their science resources on a regional basis.
- Everywhere, scientific research partnerships between government, industry and universities need to be cultivated and nurtured so that innovation is fostered.
- More networks of centres of excellence should be established, linking research institutes in developed and developing countries.
- The information and communications technology revolution holds tremendous promise for third world science. Strenuous efforts must be made to ensure that developing countries fully benefit from this transformation.
- An international mechanism needs to be established to better coordinate megascience and other large-scale international scientific projects, so that waste, duplication and overlap are avoided. Long-term funding for such projects must be assured.
- A global ethical commission should be established to draft a code of conduct for scientists, and to monitor compliance with it. 'Bioprospecting' and animal testing should be high on the commission's agenda.
- Multilateral agreements are urgently needed in the following areas: genetically-modified organisms (GMOs); human cloning; and ownership of the human genome.
- Global educational programs regarding GMOs, human cloning and the search for the human genome need to be developed so that an informed public, and not just experts and interest groups, can contribute to the informed debate on these topics.
Professor Gerald Graham, Sessional Lecturer
Gini Arnold, MA Candidate, NPSIA
Dawn Daniels, MA Candidate, NPSIA
Antonio Garcia, MA Candidate, NPSIA
Emmanuelle Lamoureux, MA Candidate, NPSIA
Heather MacKinnon, MA Candidate, NPSIA
Stephan Paape, MA Candidate, NPSIA
Natasha Parriag, MA Candidate, NPSIA
Joanne Rampton, MA Candidate, NPSIA
Liam Swiss, MA Candidate, NPSIA
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Nature © Macmillan Publishers Ltd 1999 Registered No. 785998 England.