The Evolving Context for Science-Society Dialogues University Pompeu Fabra March 6, 2006
Dec 19, 2015
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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The overall societal context for science is set by
Issues within science itself
Government regulations, priorities and funding
How the public relates to science
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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Within science….
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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Advances in science are coming at a very rapid pace
And society is pleased by that
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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Advances in science are coming at a very rapid pace, in part because
“Big science” has spread into new fields
Increasing inter-dependency of sciences
Advances in science are being fueled by advances in technology
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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The life sciences have begun doing “big science” projects
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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Genomes Proteomes
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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Advanced technologies are enabling
New kinds of science
New questions
New understanding
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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L. Chang, M.D., T. Ernst, Ph.D., O. Speck, Ph.D.Harbor-UCLA Medical CenterGenerating words (left brain dominant)
LeftLeft
RightRight
DorsalDorsal
VentralVentralAnteriorAnterior
posteriorposteriorLL
RR
LL
RR
SMASMA
Broca’s areaBroca’s area
Broca’s areaBroca’s area
Parietal CortexParietal Cortex
Functional MRI of a “normal” subject
Chang, et al.
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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At the same time, issues/events within science are damaging the science-society relationship
Incidents of scientific misconduct
Human subjects concerns
Animal welfare issues
Conflict of interest problems
Premature publicity
“Publishing by press release”
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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Government priorities and regulations also affect the context
National security
Stem cells
Global warming
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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The overall societal context for science is set by
Issues within science itself
Government regulations, priorities and funding
How the public relates to science
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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The science-society relationship is changing
Not really evolving – more like re-volving
Becoming more tense
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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People generally still respect science and technology….
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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US public’s view of scientific research
National Science Board, Science and Engineering Indicators - 2002
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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People still respect S&T….
….but not everywhere in the same way or degree
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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In Europe, the overall view of science has deteriorated:
In 2005, 52% of people felt benefits of science outweighed its risks vs. 61% in 1992
That’s almost 20 percentage points below the US.
Eurobarometer 2005
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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The American situation is not as good as it might seem….
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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People don’t really understand what is science and what’s not:
60% of Americans believe in extrasensory perception
41% think astrology is somewhat scientific
47% still do not answer “true” to the statement: “Human beings developed from earlier species of animals”
Science and Engineering Indicators, 2004
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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What do Europeans consider as scientific?
Medicine – 89%
Physics – 83%
Astronomy – 70%
History – 34%
Astrology – 41%
Homeopathy – 33%
Source: Eurobarometer, 2005
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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“The more we push science forward, the more people believe in magic.”
Norman Hackerman, 2005
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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A new dimension is emerging (or re-emerging) in the science-society relationship….
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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Historically, science and technology have been evaluated primarily on the basis of their costs/risks and benefits
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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Now, values are being overlaid onto “simple” risk/benefit calculations…
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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Historic values-related issues
The earth is round and rotates around the sun
Should scientists work on nuclear weapons?
Vaccination
Recombinant DNA
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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Current values-related scientific issues
Cloning and stem cells
Studying “personal” topics
Sex
Genetics of behavior
Aggression
Cognition/intelligence
Teaching “intelligent design” in science classrooms
Fundamentally an anti-evolution movement
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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Intelligent design claims to believe in gradual change
But a supernatural being guided the process
Claims to be a scientific alternative to evolution
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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“Intelligent design” issue is extremely complex
Not about whether to teach it in school at all
Do need to separate teaching about religion from just teaching (or preaching) religion
Is about whether to teach it in science classrooms
No science base
Children need to know what is and is not science
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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US science teachers feel great pressure around teaching of evolution in science classes
31% feel pressured to include creationism, intelligent design or other nonscientific alternatives to evolution
30% feel pushed to de-emphasize or omit evolution
Mostly from parents and students, not school administrators
Source: National Science Teachers Association, 2005
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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“You have to admit that evolution theory is not complete.”
Dutch Education Minister, Maria Van der Hoeven, 2005
Not just an American issue:
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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Advocates argue “teach both theories”
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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There are science-faith issues in Europe, too
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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Science and Faith in Europe
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Percent
Science makes our wayof life change too fast
We depend too much onscience and not enough
on faith
It is not important toknow about science in
my daily life
Agree
Disagree
Neither agree nordisagree
Source: Eurobarometer, 2005
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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Overlay of values is having serious consequences for the whole science-society relationship
Society wants to influence science
Rather than just the reverse
Creating a growing divide between science and the rest of society
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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Causes of the “Great Divide”
Encroachment on values
Misunderstandings about the word “theory”
“Theory” has different meaning to scientists and lay persons
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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Causes of the “Great Divide”
Encroachment on/of values
Misunderstandings about the word “theory”
“Theory” has different meaning to scientists and lay persons
Media insistence on presenting “both sides” of every story
Science’s assumption that scientific illiteracy is the major obstacle
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Favor Opposed Favor Opposed
Before After
Explaining Concepts Does Help
-- Embryonic Stem Cell Research -- -- Cloning to Make Stem Cells --
Source: Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research, 2005
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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But we can’t just educate our way out of it
The problem is not just lack of understanding
People do understand much of what we’re saying or want to do
They don’t like it
The conflict with their core values trumps their view of societal benefits
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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…. science is valuable for telling us what we need to know, whether we like the answer or not….
Cong. Rush Holt, AAAS Carey Lecture, 2005
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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What can we do?
Continue protesting/lamenting the situation
The problem is not going to go away
“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome”
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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What can we do?
Continue protesting/lamenting the situation
“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome”
Engage with the public on the issue
Try to find common ground
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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What to do?
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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What not to do: the traditional approach
A large forum dominated by extreme advocates on both sides
Beware evangelical atheists!
Never debate an ideologue!
A pontificating jargon-laden lecture by elites
Ruth Wooden, R!A 2004
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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Monologue Dialogue
We need to change the nature of the conversation
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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We need to hear from the public about:
Their concerns about science and technology and their concomitants
Risks and benefits
Encroachment on human values
Their priorities among research areas
Questions they would like or need us to answer
Help frame the research agenda
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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In genetics:
What values and priorities should genetic research and its application seek to uphold?
Where does the public draw the line on an acceptable level of risk?
Kathy Hudson, Research USA, June 30, 2003
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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UK attitudes to public engagement: the opportunity
74% of people say they ought to hear about potential new areas of science and technology before they happen
81% say the public should be consulted on decisions about scientific developments
51% would be interested in taking part in a national debate on a science-related issues
79% say that scientists should spend more time discussing the implications of their work in public
75% think scientists should listen more to what ordinary people think
Source: Roland Jackson, British Association, 2005
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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What to do?
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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Go “Glocal”!
Julia Taguena Parga, 2005
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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Work with local opinion setters
Local newspapers
Clergy
School officials
Local government leaders/politicians
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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The Dover trial local op-ed strategy
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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How should scientists behave in this dialogue?
Scientists must stick to the facts
Do not express your personal values
Do not go outside your specific area of expertise
Find easily understood ways to connote your meaning
No jargon, no nuances
Never violate the data
Listen!
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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Be prepared for some skepticism
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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UK attitudes to public engagement: the challenge
59% do not feel informed about science or scientific developments
50% feel that public consultation events are just public relations activities and do not make a difference to policy
Source: Roland Jackson, British Association, 2005
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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Some groups are working on it already…
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The BA’s purpose
To create a positive social climate in which science, and the organisations dependent on it, advances with public consent and with the involvement and active support of non-scientists
Source: Roland Jackson, British Association, 2005
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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Formal US dialogues:
NIH/NHGRI’s “Ethical, Legal and Social Implications” (ELSI) Program
AAAS’s Dialogue on Science, Ethics and Religion
Johns Hopkins Univ. Genetics and Public Policy Center
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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AAAS Center for Public Engagement with Science and Technology
Town meetings
Topical public workshops
Partnerships with science museum and centers
Active outreach
Clubs
Lodges
Religious institutions
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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We need a global commitment to engagement!
The Evolving Context for Science-Society DialoguesUniversity Pompeu Fabra, March 6, 2006
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We Can Improve the Relationship,
But It Won’t be Easy!
We Can Improve the Relationship,
But It Won’t be Easy!