PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF SCIENCE BIBLIOGRAPHY NOVEMBER 1998
A monthly round-up of books, reports and articles in the field of Public
Understanding of Science collated by the Wellcome Trust Information Service.
BOOKS AND REPORTS
Boddington, A. and Coe, T.
Set98: the fifth national week of science, engineering and technology.
An evaluation of the National Week of Science, Engineering and Technology,
by Evaluation Associates. Includes sections on topics such as organisers,
audiences, publicity, media coverage and measuring success rates.
Buckingham: Evaluation Associates 1998 12pp
Levitt, M.
The gene shop: evaluation of a public education facility.
The 'Gene Shop' was opened in February last year as part of the Public
Awareness strand of the European Union funded project,
EUROSCREEN 2. Information about genes and genetic conditions was
provided, on a drop-in basis, by touch-screen computer programmes, static
displays, written material and by health visitors and doctors attached to
the Department of Clinical Genetics, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital
Trust. This document evaluates the project.
Lancaster: University of Central Lancashire 1998 78pp
ISBN: 1901922065
Bucchi, M.
Science and the media: alternative routes in scientific communication.
Routledge Studies in Science, Technology and Society Series
London: Routledge 1998 195pp
ISBN: 0415189527
In these days of global warming and BSE, science is increasingly a public
issue. But what should scientists communicate to the general public? To what
extent can the public understand and be involved in scientific debate? How
does this involvement affect the shaping and organization of scientific
activity? Why do scientists turn to the media and publicize their findings
rather than communicate their findings only with their peers? This text
provides a theoretical framework which answers all these questions and
allows us to understand why and how scientists address the general public.
Sommerer, C. and Mignonneau, L. (eds.)
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New York: SpringerWien 1998 330pp
ISBN: 3211829539
Art and Science have long been regarded as separate entities. In an era of
rapidly developing computer technologies a novel interdisciplinary spirit
has emerged that promises a new collaboration between research and art. This
book features articles from key protagonists in this field on topics such as
telecommunications, interactive arts, media museums and artificial life.
Caudill, E.
Darwinian myths: the legends and misuses of a theory.
Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press 1997 184pp
ISBN: 087049984X
Since the publication of the Origin of the Species in 1859, Darwin's theory
of natural selection has been conscripted in support of a variety of social
and political ideas. This book examines the ability of Darwin's theory to
inspire legends, focusing particularly on the impact of social Darwinism on
popular culture.
Somit, A. and Peterson, S. A. (eds.)
Biopolitics and the mainstream: contributions of biology to political
science.
Research in Biopolitics Series: volume 2
London: JAI Press 1994 301pp
ISBN: 1559384409
This is the second volume in a series on research in biopolitics. This
volume covers topics such as biology and politics-political, practical and
philosophical issues and research methods derived from the life sciences.
McGrath, A. E.
The foundations of dialogue in science and religion.
Oxford: Blackwell 1998 256pp
ISBN: 0631208542
Alister McGrath explores the relation of religion and natural sciences,
focussing specifically on Christianity as a case study. The book explores
the way in which religions and the natural sciences differ from each other,
yet converge on matters of considerable interest in a number of areas.
ARTICLES
PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF SCIENCE
The dark side of the gloom
When depression cast its shadow over former COPUS (Commitee for the Public
Understanding of Science) Chairman and champion of science, Lewis Wolpert,
he used his science communication skills to promote greater understanding of
the illness.
THES 1356 October 23 1998 p.20
Highbrow 'club' seeks the common touch
Susan Greenfield, the first woman director of the Royal Institution, has
taken on the daunting task of modernising one of the country's most
distinguished centres for research and science communication. She is keen
to instill a 'bottom-up' approach to communicating science and to find ways
of supporting women returning to science after having children.
Nature 396 12 November 1998 p.103
Vision for science
Professor Susan Greenfield talks about her introduction to the world of
science communication, her early scientific career and her enthusiasm for
taking science to the masses as the first female director at the Royal
Institution.
Guardian Jobs and Money 14 November 1998 p.24
In Brief: Nesta goes to the public
A wide-ranging consultation on the structure and programmes proposed for the
National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (Nesta) will be
launched this month.
THES 1359 20 November 1998 p.35
PUBLIC ATTITUDES TOWARDS SCIENCE
Crop research meets the public
An editorial and an article discuss the government's attempts to build
public trust in its scientific advice, and to include public views in its
policy decisions. The moves include a new steering group of scientists who
will be able to commission research it considers necessary on the ecological
impacts of genetically modified crops.
Nature 395 29 October 1998 p.823, 830
Much ado about something?
In an edition concerned with the potential future for genetically modified
organisms, an editorial and an article discuss the increasingly heated
debate over genetically modified foods, and look specifically at the role of
Monsanto, the American biotech giant, in this debate.
New Scientist 2158 31 October 1998 p.3
Soapbox: readers' reactions
Following an article in the THES 1355 where Jules Pretty explained why there
should be a ban on genetically modified crops for a three-year trial period,
sixty-five of the 68 readers who wrote in said that the growing of GM crops
in Britain should be delayed.
THES 1357 6 November 1998 p.20
Public rejects genetically modified food
51 % of people canvassed in an opinion poll commissioned by Monsanto are
hostile towards genetically modified (GM) food. The survey, carried out by
US opinion pollsters Greenberg, revealed an 'overwhelming collapse of public
support' despite Monsanto's £1m advertising campaign. Elite networks such as
MPs and scientists, however, reacted positively to GM food.
Independent 18 November 1998 p.5
See also: Financial Times, 'Monsanto research finds deep hostility to GM
foods', 18 November 1998 p.10; Guardian 'Genetic food facing crisis' 18
November 1998 p.2; Sunday Business, '£1mil fails to make us like genetic
foods' 22 November 1998 p.6
Keep it clean
An article suggesting that biotechnology companies should pay for
independent research into educating the public about the production of
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and their safety. Such work should be
financed by companies but carried out independently at universities, state
institutes or other authorised research organisations.
New Scientist 2161 21 November 1998 p.59
SCIENCE AND ETHICS
Voluntary controls sought for insurance gene tests
In its response to a report by the Human Genetics Advisory Commission
(published in December 1997), the Government has decided against immediate
legislation on the controversial use of genetic tests by insurers, and will
instead establish an independent evaluation system in co-operation with
insurers and the Commission.
Financial Times 6 November 1998 p.12 See also: Daily Telegraph 6 November
1998 p.5 Guardian 6 November 1998 p.11 Independent 6 November 1998 p.12
& Review p.9
Arresting evidence: DNA fingerprinting: public servant or public menace
Richard Dawkins, Charles Simonyi professor for the public understanding of
science at Oxford, writes on the science of DNA fingerprinting and the
development of a national DNA database by the US Federal Bureau of
Investigation . High profile court cases such as the O.J.Simpson and
Lewinsky cases have increased public consciousness of genetic research and
highlighted the role of DNA fingerprinting in the criminal justice system.
A national DNA database, however, poses many treats to civil liberties and
privacy, which should be considered and debated.
The Sciences November/December 1998 p.20-25
Making animals matter
An article examines the growing consensus between academic ethicists and the
general public that animals are being exploited for human use. In order to
counteract this public perception, Andrew Linzey, senior research fellow in
ethics and animal welfare, suggests ways in which biologists and
biology-based industries could become key leaders in the development of
animal-friendly, ethically sound choices in medicine, food and agriculture.
Biologist Vol. 45 No 5 November 1998 p.209-21
SCIENCE AND THE MEDIA
Embracing the embargo
A 'News Focus' looks at the role of the embargo system in communicating
research results to the public and other scientists as the system comes
under pressure from web-based publishing. In conclusion, an editorial
comments on 'Science's own policy. 'Science' holds the view that
dissemination of important information through the public press leads to
better quality coverage and public scrutiny of the achievements of
scientific research.
Science 5390 30 October 1998 p.860-877
Scare me again
An opinion piece on the genesis of health scares and the effectiveness of
the mass media in spreading health misinformation.
Biologist Vol 45 No 5 November 1998 p.240
Don't tell me what to think!
In an article that appeared in The Independent,'Pseudo-science, total
fiction: 'The X-Files' demonstrates the continuing public fondness for the
oddball, the obscure and the occult', John Durant, professor of public
understanding of science at Imperial College, condemned the X-files as
"pseudo-science gibberish". Robert Matthews, an IG-Nobel prize winner,
replies to this article and suggests that the public understanding of
science movement has, for too long, patronised the public.
Focus November 1998 p.21
See also: Focus November 1998 p.7 Nature 395 p110 1998, Nature 394 p.815
1998 and The Independent 21 August 1998 p.5
SCIENCE EDUCATION
Australian students appreciation of the green house effect and the ozone
hole
Students appreciation of the green-house effect and the ozone are examined
using a life-world and scientific dichotomy. This illuminates the ideas we
familiarly hear expressed in the classroom. It aids us in seeing progression
in students' developing powers of explanation, and gives us clues as to how
we might focus and channel thoughts. Recently developing science curricula
in Australia encourages a scientific consideration of the two phenomena.
Australian Science Teachers' Journal Vol. 44 No. 3 August 1998 pp.46-55
Cyprus children's images of scientists
This study tries to determine if there wer gender/age differences in the
images that 11 to 14 year-old students have about scientists. As female
students get older they adopt adn project a more sterotypilcal image of
the scientist. As male students get older they seem to harbour a less
sterotypical view.
R.M. Hajikyriaou, Science Education International, vol.9 No.3 September 1998
p.29-34
SCIENCE AND ART
Science: can it be art ?
Tom McGrath, associate literary director at the Royal Lyceum Theatre,
Edinburgh and recent co-winner with his daughter Julie Webb, a geneticist,
of a Wellcome Trust Science on Stage and Screen award talks about science
and art.
THES 1358 13 November 1998 p.20
When worlds collide
A review of the six winning entries for the 1998 SCI-ART awards, started by
the Wellcome Trust two years ago as a way of encouraging scientists and
artists to collaborate together and produce work to inspire and aid the
public understanding of science. The works are to be exhibited at a
conference in the Wellcome Building, 24 November 1998, to show how the
fusion of disciplines is taking scientists and artists into unexplored
areas.
Guardian Online 19 November 1998 p.9
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Karen
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Karen John-Pierre, Information Officer, The Wellcome Trust,
183 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE, UK.
Email: [log in to unmask]
Tel: + 44 (0)171 611 8510 Fax: +44 (0)171 611 8726
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