Science and Politics.

Kathleen Kennedy Townsend

Abstract - II part

III Political challenges that must be resolved

But before any of this can be accomplished, we must develop the political will. To do so requires overcoming political challenges.
This Conference wisely includes a session to discuss ethics, but it is crucial to understand that the passions and fears unleashed by these ethical issues concerning the beginning and end of life have the potential to derail support for science. If we doubt the efficacy of science in one area, we can easily doubt it in others.
The ethical debate is not a debate of religion versus science. Yet, the debate over evolution still rages in many school boardrooms. If students are taught that faith opposes science, the potential that science offers could be derailed.

As Chair of the Institute for Human Virology, I see that desire to provide medicine to as many people as possible is in conflict with those who argue that providing medicine to large numbers who do not take it in accordance with the protocols will allow the disease to mutate.

This is part of the larger challenge of the appropriate allocation of resources. Should research support treatments that save the lives of many but may not be profitable in the short term or should we focus of our efforts on the more lucrative cures for a few. Malaria versus Viagra.

There are powerful economic interests that would be happier if science were ignored. Not long ago, the Union of Concerned Scientists released a report charging the White House with systematically working against the spirit of objective science. The report states the
Bush Administration suppressed or distorted the scientific analyses offered by federal agencies in order to bring results in line with administration policy.

The Bush Administration is choosing to support its friends in industry instead of real science. Consider its response to global warming. Even though the scientific community is united on the fact than fossil fuel production and consumption has contributed to global warming, the White House deleted that finding from its 2001 report on global warming, and, in its place, inserted a reference to an opposing study that was financed by the American Petroleum Institute. Furthermore, when the Administration had the opportunity, it stacked the decks by staffing research boards and advisory councils with under-qualified researchers who showed allegiance to the White House’s political goals.

IV Proposed Solutions

It is vital that scientific literacy be increased. This must be done both at the pre-university and university levels. Larry Summers, the President of Harvard made it his goal to insure that students recognize cell structures as easily as they can identify Michelangelo’s David.

I suggest that we focus on popular culture as well as formal education. We all love “The Terminator”, and he is a wonderful husband to my cousin…. but could we not find some way of making scientists as popular as this hero, to encourage students to go to the lab as well as the gym.

A really good way to build support for science would be to connect the well-being of individuals and nations with investment in science. Those nations that invest in science are going to be able to hike their standards of living and compete with other nations more effectively.

If the scientific community would get its act together to communicate the benefits that would result if we solved the energy crisis, reduced global warming, cured more diseases or unlocked the secrets of the mind, we would not only achieve untold advances in science, we would also strengthen democracy because we would have a better educated electorate.

Conclusion

History best remembers not the civilizations that have done the most to expand their borders, but those that have done the most to expand the boundaries of human knowledge.