14-1190b-innovation-managing-risk-evidence

FOREWORD
Advances in science and technology can yield significant societal benefits and
drive economic growth. The challenge for society is to channel evidence
about innovative technologies and their risks to improve decision making in
the area of regulation and policy making.
My annual report sets out my response as Chief Scientific Adviser to the
challenges faced by decision makers when determining policy. It considers the
different perspectives through which risk is viewed by members of the public,
business and policy-makers. The report also seeks to understand the bases for
individual and collective decisions on when and how to innovate.
To produce my report I have drawn on the expertise of a broad range of experts
and academics, who have set out the evidence about the challenges faced by policy
makers and regulators. I have also sought and included notable case studies which
illustrate the perspectives in the core of the report. This volume comprises that
body of evidence and associated case studies.
I am indebted to the authors of this volume for their contribution. The chapters
and case studies represent the authors’ personal views rather than those of the
Government Office for Science but their wide ranging perspectives have provided
important evidence for this project, and so have helped me develop the themes and
conclusions of my own report.
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Mark Walport
Government Chief Scientific Adviser
November 2014