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Science Policy and Social Justice

Science Policy and Social Justice. Developing an enhanced linkage for the science-driven change of the 21st century. U8400, U.S. Science and Technology Policy April 19, 2001. Science is a Principal Driver of Change. Social change Internet. Economic change Science-based economy.

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Science Policy and Social Justice

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  1. Science Policy and Social Justice Developing an enhanced linkage for the science-driven change of the 21st century U8400, U.S. Science and Technology Policy April 19, 2001

  2. Science is a Principal Driver of Change Social change Internet Economic change Science-based economy National security change Weapons of mass destruction Environmental change Climate

  3. President Dwight D. Eisenhower1953, First Inaugural Address Man’s power to achieve good or to inflict evil surpasses the brightest hopes and the sharpest fears of all ages. We can turn rivers in their courses, level mountains to the plains. Oceans and land and sky are avenues for our colossal commerce. Disease diminishes and life lengthens. Yet the promise of this life is imperiled by the very genius that has made it possible. Nations amass wealth. Labor sweats to create, and turns out devices to level not only mountains but also cities. Science seems ready to confer upon us, as its final gift, the power to erase human life from this planet.

  4. Broad Impact of Outcomes Evolutionary Steps in Science Policy Limited Federal Policy Strong Federal/ Collective Policy 1990s 1980s 1970s 1960s 1950s 1945 The Endless Frontier Aviation Industry Creation 1915 NCAC Enhancing Agricultural Economy 1860s Morill Act Stimulating Innovation in Communication 1830s Telegraph Commerce Enhancement ~1825 Coastal Survey Exploration/ Military 1803 Lewis & Clark 1804 West Point Property Protection 1789 Constitutional Design Narrow Impact of Outcomes

  5. Broad Impact of Outcomes Proposed or Theorized Concepts for Science Policy Science and Social Justice 1990s George Brown Socialist Science Equitable Science Organizing the Nation, Again 1930s Henry Wallace Vision 1950s Kilgore Vision 1930s Dept. of Science Limited Federal Policy Strong Federal/ Collective Policy Organizing the Nation 1880s Dept. of Science 1840s-60s Smithsonian Debate 1787 Constitutional Debate on National University Thinking Ahead, Looking Back Science for the Nation Narrow Impact of Outcomes

  6. Science Policy is the Key Variable Given the impact of science, science policy is the critical variable and yet almost entirely ignored. We are being propelled into this new century with no plan, no control, no brakes. Bill Joy Co-founder and Chief Scientist, Sun Microsystems

  7. 1945 Policy Design: Science the Endless Frontier • Science as a public good • Autonomy of scientists • Importance of basic research • Fundamental knowledge • Performed without thought of practical ends • Pacemaker of technical progress

  8. Foundations of Science Policy Republic of Science Market Failure Model Unpredictability

  9. Possible Foundations of Science Policy Democratic Science Sociotechnical Outcomes Model Prediction with Uncertainty

  10. Focus on American Science Policy • American science is the prototype • Most basic research is funded by the U.S. • In 2000, total R&D expenditures in the United States reached $233.0 billion. • U.S. R&D investments continue to outdistance, by more than 2–to–1, R&D investments made in Japan, the second largest R&D-performing country. • The U.S. spent more money on R&D activities in 1999 than any other country. The U.S. spent as much by itself as the rest of the G-7 countries—Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom—combined.

  11. Current Approach to Science Policy: Internal Focus Input-driven process • Addresses • Conduct of S&T • Products and processes of S&T • Assumes • All societal outcomes will be positive • Linear model of innovation and societal benefit INPUTS Processes Products Outcomes

  12. Indications of Societal Transformation • Genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) • Development and distribution of AIDS drugs • Nanotechnology

  13. Genetically-Modified Organisms (GMOs) • 30 years of plant genetics research • Enabling transgenic plant design • Empowering industry and the market • Purpose of research • Fundamental learning • Productivity enhancement • Social implications considerations • None before 1999

  14. AIDS Drugs • Science program driven by alliance between fundamental scientists and US interest groups • Origin of virus remains unaddressed • Global nature remains unaddressed • Research program molecular in nature • Social implications considerations • Limited to nation state basis

  15. Nanotechnology (the future) • Transformational technology (building at the scale of nature) • Economics-driven • Replacing integrated circuit technology base • Social implications may be considered… but how? • Lack of tools • Lack of teams

  16. Health Indicators Health Attainment, 1999 Health Expenditures (Disability-adjusted life expectancy) as % of GDP 1. Japan (74.5) 7.1% 3. France (73.1) 9.8% 4. Sweden (73.0) 9.2% 12. Canada (72.0) 8.6% 14. U.K. (71.7) 5.8% 22. Germany (70.4) 10.5% 24. U.S. (70.0) 13.7% 96. Iran (60.5) 4.4% 134. India (53.2) 5.2% Source: WHO, The World Health Report 2000

  17. Health vs. Wealth Source: WHO, The World Health Report 2000

  18. Cycle Dynamics Education New skills Societal Outcomes Economic Outcomes New social structures POLICY New industries New institutions S&T Outcomes Conduct of Science Tech transfer Knowledge Networks Knowledge transfer

  19. Need Outcome-Driven Science Policy Framework • Increase quality and years of healthy life. Eliminate health disparities. (US Health and Human Services Dept) • Ensure a safe and affordable food supply. (US Agriculture Dept) • Foster a reliable energy system that is environmentally and economically sustainable. (US Energy Dept) • Reduce the impacts of hazards caused by natural processes and human actions. (US Interior Dept)

  20. Science Policy Research Needs • New science policy indicators • New tools of evaluation • New vision for what science can bring to our future • Education of scientists and politicians • Replace Bush paradigm as outmoded

  21. Perspectives • How does the science we decide to do affect the distribution and equity of outcomes? • How do programs we implement affect the distribution and equity of outcomes?

  22. Morality and Science What is the collective good that we want inquiry to promote? Philip Kitcher, Professor of Philosophy in Science, Truth and Democracy, to be published, 2001

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