PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF SCIENCE BIBLIOGRAPHY JANUARY 1999
A monthly round-up of books, reports and articles collated by the Wellcome
Trust Information Service.

BOOKS AND REPORTS


Cunningham-Burley, S., Kerr, A. and Amos, A.
     The social and cultural impact of the new genetics.
     Edinburgh: University of Edinburgh 1998 29pp
A summary document of an ESRC funded research project. The projects aims
were two-fold: 1. To explore the attitudes, beliefs, understanding and
cultural values in relation to the advances in human genetics of a range of
demographic groups; 2. To identify and analyse the media coverage of the new
genetics.

     European Commission: Directorate General XII: Science, Research and
     Development
     European opinions on modern biotechnology.
     Eurobarometer 46.1
     Brussels: ECSC 1997 87pp
The findings of this study published by the European Commission, show that
Europeans support the use of biotechnology to produce medicines and genetic
tests but are more cautious about inserting human genes into animals and
using gene technology in food production.

     Durant, J. (chair)
     European Federation of Biotechnology: Task Group on Public Perceptions
of
     Biotechnology
     Lessons from the Swiss biotechnology referendum.
     Briefing paper 8 August 1998
     Schuytstraat: European Federation of Biotechnology 1998 4pp
On June 7, 1998, Switzerland voted by a 2:1 majority not to ban genetic
engineering. The popular initiative for this referendum, called the "Gene
Protection Initiative (GPI)", had as goals the prohibition of all
transgenic animals, the banning of all field releases of transgenic crops
and the prevention of patenting certain inventions of biotechnology. Over
the last 2½ years the media's intense reporting on biotechnology resulted in
a marked increase in public understanding. This briefing paper analyses
this recent debate and draws conclusions from it for the broader European
context. Available on the Web at
http://www.kluyver.stm.tudelft.nl/efb/tgppb/home.htm


     Miller, J. D., Pardo, R. and Niwa, F.
     Public perceptions of science and technology: a comparative study of
the
     European Union, the United States, Japan, and Canada.
     Bilbao: Fundación BBV 1997 140pp
     ISBN: 8488562853
Jon Miller of International Center for the Advancement of Scientific
Literacy and others compare and contrast international public understanding
of science surveys.


     Wellcome Trust: Medicine in Society Programme
     Public perspectives on human cloning: a social research study.
     London: Wellcome Trust 1998 72pp
     ISBN: 186983500X
This study, commissioned by the Wellcome Trust, found that the public are
strongly against the use of human cloning for reproductive purposes. The
survey found that most respondents had grave worries about a future in which
reproduction could occur without men. Also available on the Web as a PDF at
www.wellcome.ac.uk/publications.

 
     Wellcome Trust
     Sci-art: partnerships in science and art.
     Top 40 entries, November 1998.
      London: Wellcome Trust 1998 52pp
A review of the Top 40 entries to 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.

     
     Friedlander, M. W.
     At the fringes of science.
     Oxford: Westview Press 1998 202pp
     ISBN: 0813390605
Emphasizing that there is no clear line between science and pseudo-science,
this book examines a variety of cases. They include "tabloid science" such
as UFOs, scientific controversies such as cold fusion, and maverick ideas
that were at first rejected by science only to be embraced later.

     Sless, D. and Wiseman, R.
     Writing about medicines for people: usability guidelines for consumer
     medicine information.
     Canberra: Department of Health and Family Services 1997 2nd edn.
158pp
     ISBN: 0642266611
This project was funded under the Pharmaceutical Education Program, an
initiative of the Commonwealth Department of Health and Family Services to
promote the quality use of medicines.

     Wilson, A.
     Institute of Physics.
     Handbook of science communication.
 Bristol: Institute of Physics 1998 159pp
The Handbook of Science Communication is written for students from
undergraduate level upwards, and for scientists who need to communicate
their work effectively to each other, and to the wider public. It is also
suitable for a source book for teachers of science communication in
universities and colleges. Contributors include Jane Gregory and Jane
Miller of UCL and Shirley Earl of Napier University, Edinburgh.

ARTICLES


PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF SCIENCE

Public understanding of science wins £3m boost
The British Association for the Advancement of Science is to receive a grant
of just under £3 million from the Wellcome Trust to support its efforts in
promoting the public understanding of science. Speaking about the award
Michael Dexter, director of the Wellcome Trust, said "Now, perhaps more than
any other time in our history, science needs debate".
Nature 397 21 January 1999 p.192

The real challenges of the next century are scientific
In an editorial on the challenges facing society in the new millennium amid
a lack of religious or political guidance, The Independent lauds scientists
as the ' priests of the future, in that the great dilemmas of morality and
politics are set by the expansion of human knowledge'.
Independent 2 January 1999 p.3

Is this the real man of the millennium?
In poll by BBC Radio 4's Today Programme, William Shakespeare was voted 'man
of the millennium' beating scientists such as Darwin and Newton.
Contemporary scientists, Lewis Wolpert, Colin Blakemore and John Durant,
disagree.
Guardian 2 January 1999 p.3 See also: Observer 3 January 1999 p.21

Funding partnerships: nightmare or panacea?
Dr Laurence Smaje, Director of the Medicine, Society and History Division at
the Wellcome Trust, explores the pros and cons of forming funding
collaborations by reviewing past partnerships the Trust have undertaken
within the Public Understanding of Science initiative.
Science & Public Affairs Winter 1998 p.45-47

A report on Café Scientifique, a novel way of raising the public's awareness
of science. On a fortnightly basis a cafe in Leeds becomes the venue for
discussion and debate between renowned scientists such as Oliver Sacks,
Rita Carter and Alan Skokal and ordinary members of the public. Fuller
details can be found at http://www.aesops.force9.co.uk/cs/index.htm
Chemistry and Industry 18 January 1999 p.48


SCIENCE AND MEDIA

The sacking of JAMA
A commentary article by Richard Horton, editor of the Lancet, discusses the
sacking of George Lundberg as editor-in-chief of JAMA. Lundberg was
dismissed by the American Medical Association (AMA) for reporting the
results of a survey into students' sexual habits to coincide with the
Clinton impeachment trial. The article argues that JAMA's editorial
integrity should not have been compromised by the political agenda of the
AMA.
The Lancet 353 22 January 1999 p.252-253

The appliance of science to fiction
The Albert P Sloan Foundation, an American philanthropic science promotion
organisation, has commissioned David Milch, executive producer of prime-time
television drama NYPD Blue, to pilot a science-based drama to capture the
public's attention. British commentators suggest that the dogged routine of
science is "too boring" to make an exciting television drama with broad
appeal.
Independent 18 January 1999 p.11

PUBLIC ATTITUDES TOWARDS SCIENCE

Genome Valley needs 'giants'
Too many small biotechnology companies and public 'biophobia' over
genetically modified crops threaten the United Kingdom's bid to become the
leading bioindustrial country in Europe, according to John Padfield, chief
executive of Chiroscience.
THES 1368 22 January 1999 p.4

SCIENCE AND ETHICS

Consumers get say in mental research
The National Institute of Mental Health will in future include two lay
people with experience of mental health problems on its scientific peer
review panels, paralleling the practice in AIDS and breast cancer research
which has had positive results.
Science 283 8 January 1999 p.171

Embryonic stem-cell research exempt from ban, NIHAU is told
The US Department of Health and Human Services has issued a legal opinion
saying that research on human embryonic stem cells does not fall under the
ban on federal funding for human embryo research. The department says this
is because such cells do not constitute an 'organism' as described in the
legislation.
Nature 397 21 January 1999 p.185

US Congress debates stem cell research
An article discusses the debate by US Congress last week, surrounding the
recent harvesting and culture of human embryonic stem cells.
BMJ 318 23 January 1999 p.215

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All of the above items are available for reference in the Wellcome Trust
Information Service, or from the British Library, Lending Division via your
local library service. If you have any difficulties obtaining items please
contact me directly on the e-mail below.

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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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