Transcript Science Policy and Social Change

Science Policy and Social Change
Michael Crow
May 2003
Science is a Principal Driver of Change
SOCIAL CHANGE
Internet
HEALTH AND
MEDICAL
CHANGE
Biotechnology
SCIENCEBASED
ECONOMY
ENVIRONMENTAL
CHANGE
Climate
NATIONAL
SECURITY
CHANGE
Weapons of
Mass
Destruction
Science has the power to completely
transform civilization. For some, science
has made life comfortable and secure. For
others, it has meant death and destruction
Science Policy is the Key Variable
We are being propelled into this new
century with no plan, no control, no
brakes. (Bill Joy, Co-founder and Chief
Scientist, Sun Microsystems)
Given the impact of science, science
policy is the key variable, yet almost
entirely ignored.
Foundations of Science Policy
Republic of Science
Market Failure Model
Unpredictability
Current Approach to Science Policy
Inputs
Processes
Products
Outcomes
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
Indications of Societal Transformation
GMO controversy
Affordability of AIDS drugs
Lack of medical insurance
Aging of the population
Public school system
Rising atmospheric CO2 levels
Perceived Quality of Life
Health Indicators
Health Attainment, 1999
(Disability-adjusted life expectancy)
1. Japan (74.5)
3. France (73.1)
4. Sweden (73.0)
12. Canada (72.0)
14. U.K. (71.7)
22. Germany (70.4)
24. U.S. (70.0)
96. Iran (60.5)
134. India (53.2)
Health Expenditures
as % of GDP
7.1%
9.8%
9.2%
8.6%
5.8%
10.5%
13.7%
4.4%
5.2%
Health vs. Wealth
Societal Outcomes Promoted by National
Science Agencies
 Ensure that the people, nature and environment of
Denmark and other countries are protected against
pollution. (Danish Environmental Protection Agency)
 Increase quality and years of health life. Eliminate
health disparities. (US Dept. of HHS)
 Improve the health of the European population. (EU
BIOMED 2 program)
 Reduce the strain on health and the environment and
improve energy and resource efficiency. (Swedish
Ministry of Environment)
 Ensure that these (science and technology) advances
work to the benefit of mankind. (Japan National Institutes
of Health Sciences)
Not Control But
Navigation
Because the pathway to
sustainability cannot be
charted in advance, it will
have to be navigated
through trial and error and
conscious experimentation.
National Research Council, 2000
Our Common Journey
Dual Agenda: Science and Social Equity
The challenge is to develop S&T policy
that reaches a significant proportion of
each state’s working poor
Problems of employment and distribution
of income are S&T policy issues
S&T and social issues are critically
interdependent
Technology strategy drives government
spending and its social outcomes
Linear thinking in technology policy is
linear thinking in social outcomes
How can science and science-based
technology most effectively contribute to
an improved quality of life for the greatest
number of people?
How does the science that we do affect
the social choices we make?
How do the S&T programs we implement
affect the distribution and equity of
outcomes?
New Science Policy
New Science Policy aims to create
knowledge, cultivate public discourse and
foster policies that help society grapple
with the immense power of science.
Cycle Dynamics
Education
New skills
Societal
Outcomes
Economic
Outcomes
New social
structures
POLICY
New industries
New institutions
S&T
Outcomes
Knowledge
Networks
Conduct Tech transfer
of Science
Knowledge transfer
Lessons from Old Science Policy
Desired outcomes can drive the science
Societal value of new knowledge is
determined by how it is used and by whom
it is used
Societal outcomes reflect who is making
science policy
Desired outcomes emerge when scientific
advance is well-matched by societal needs
A New Science Policy Framework
Outcome-drive
Integrated
Informed
Self-correcting
Recognizes and responds to the
inextricable links between science and
technology and societal evolution
Morality and Science
What is the collective good we want
inquiry to promote? (Philip Kitcher,
Professor of Philosophy, Columbia
University)