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David Steven wrote: > > Lord Winston on Radio 5 live: > > 1. People distrust science because they do not understand it. > 2. Scientists need to be more open, although it is untrue to say they are > secretive. > 3. Much of the problem is politicians pushing scientists for certainty. > 4. We can't be certain about anything, though much of the evidence shows > that the public is wrong to worry about GM foods. > 5. More education is essential. > 6. Scientists need to be better at dealing with the media. > 7. Britain has the best science journalists in the world, but scientists > need more influence over those who write the agenda. > 8. It would good if the media understood more about science. > This is an interesting one, and counter arguments can be equally strong, just throwing a passing cat at the pigeons: 1. People can distrust science even more when they do understand it. 4. We can't be certain about anything, though much of the evidence shows that the public is wrong to worry about GM foods. This speaks clearly for itself and is a classic 'tap on the head, worry not little people' statement. GRRR! 3. Much of the problem is politicians pushing scientists for certainty. Absolutely! however any government that says 'we are not sure about nuclear power, GM crops, cloning etc.' would very soon lose favour with both the voters and the business world. When the public are allowed to learn enough about science to be able to question the motives behind the research, then we will get somewhere with the issues raised by lord Winston. There is still a kind of 'hey we are cuddly lovely scientists...trust us!' feel to a lot of this. Unfortunately the public have now grown up, are very cynical and are asking why should we. Oh dear, time for some camomile tea, Thanks for listening and could someone fetch the cat back? Phil. -- Phil Pinder Pinder Research Services Tel: 02920 419917 Fax: 02920 319610 Mobile: 0771 4514613 ------------------------------------------------------ *The general public has long been divided into two parts; those who think science can do anything, and those who are afraid it will. [New Scientist, July 5, 1973] Dixy Lee Ray, 1914-1994 ------------------------------------------------------- %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%