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Dr. Vincent G. Duffy - IEEM www-ieemt.hk/dfaculty/duffy/111 email: vduffy@ust.hk

SOSC 111 - Science Technology and Society Today: week 8 Lesson 15 R & D Spending: Who Should Pay for these Innovations? Oct. 21, 1998. Dr. Vincent G. Duffy - IEEM http://www-ieem.ust.hk/dfaculty/duffy/111 email: vduffy@ust.hk. 1. Today. Questions of the day

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Dr. Vincent G. Duffy - IEEM www-ieemt.hk/dfaculty/duffy/111 email: vduffy@ust.hk

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  1. SOSC 111 - Science Technology and SocietyToday: week 8 Lesson 15R & D Spending: Who Should Pay for these Innovations? Oct. 21, 1998 Dr. Vincent G. Duffy - IEEM http://www-ieem.ust.hk/dfaculty/duffy/111 email: vduffy@ust.hk 1

  2. Today • Questions of the day • based on reading for today (2 - 1 page readings) • ‘Alzheimers’ news clip & ‘Pres. Woo’ news clip 2

  3. Q1. Why spend Research & Development money? • What is the value? • Investment in the future • future products for consumers • company profitability & economic growth • improve understanding of science, technology and society • maintain or improve quality of life 3

  4. Q2. Should government be involved in making decisions about R&D spending? How can government make informed decisions about solving complex problems? • Some say….‘Gov’t simply not capable of choosing’ • True? • Does government know enough to decide spending areas? • On the one hand, it is true, there may be a narrow viewpoint represented. • However, it is true, government is made of a cross-section of different knowledge. So maybe it is ok for government to participate in such decisions. • What does the Alzheimer’s article argue? 4

  5. Technology & Health: Alzheimer Gene is Near Identification-reading#1 • What is Alzheimers disease? • Who will benefit from R&D spending? • business or individuals? • The controversy: commercialization of findings • should the researchers also be able to benefit from the commercialization of the research • some would argue, no …and this could form the basis for their argument for ‘hands off’ 5

  6. Q.3 What does this article represent? • ‘Programs that attempt to pick winners & losers are corporate welfare’ • just support/handout to corporations. • True? • reasons ‘for’ or ‘against’ a ‘hands off’ policy? • Some advocate for ‘Hands off policy’ • Alzheimer’s article suggests... • Hands off...-no gov’t intervention in spending decisions • In favor of ‘hands off’ policy 7

  7. What about problems that are not profitable to study? • Recall: the benefits of science research are sometimes long term • therefore, it may not be profitable for industry to study some problems. • If it is not profitable in short term, industry may not pay… • then... • Will we solve society problems if we ignore? 8

  8. Why did Prof. Woo get involved? -reading #2 • UST President comments on ‘technology policy’ • discusses opinions on ... • should we have one? • who should pay? • ‘somebody has to talk’ • ‘frustrated by the gov’t hands-off policy’ 9

  9. President Woo argues for... • Scientists as political advocates. Why? • Problem: benefits of science are uncertain, unquantifiable and longterm • get technology policy closely coupled w/real problems • applied research • Make elected officials aware of value 10

  10. Q.4 Who should pay? • O.K. Maybe government can help decide…but who should pay? • industry?________ • government?_____ • If only industry pays for R&D what is the concern? • Maybe we can let free market decide? • Why might we care if only ‘industry pays for R&D? 11

  11. Recall: Businesses & Governments? Large Countries (based on $ Assets/size of economy) Small Countries (based on $ Assets/size of economy) 50 Largest companies How large are they? And H.K.? Will this influence their relationships? 12

  12. Let’s Consider: Let industry pay? • Disposable & cloth diapers:environmentally equal • Based on water, power & chemicals to clean cloth diapers • Arthur D. Little Consultants delivered to legislators • Sponsor: Proctor and Gamble, makers of Pampers • White bread will not make you gain weight • Cooper Institute for Aerobic Research • Sponsor: Wonder Bread Company • Chocolate may inhibit cavities • Princeton Dental Research Center • Sponsor: M & M Mars Company • Bias based on the interests of the sponsor 13

  13. In summary: The danger of a hands off policy • Key decisions will be left to board rooms of multi- national firms, discussing and deciding away from the public • Q4. Who should pay? • An independent sponsor • with potential benefits to all • where benefit not just to few or just one industry • How to decide? • informed debate in a public forum • those familiar with issues should be involved 14

  14. Guest speaker MondayFor section 3-special arrangement • We will have a guest speaker on Monday • from ICAC, Karen Ho • the times will be 11am, 12noon, 3pm • Those in the 5pm section can come to 12 noon • room 5564 near lift 27-28 • (or other time if you are not available at 12) • Please advise if you plan to come at 11 or 3pm.

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