As serpentes e o bastão: tecnociência, neoliberalismo e ... - CTeMe

esearch, to engage in debate on its implications, and to recognise people's concerns. [...]
The media also have a vital role to play. The public framework for assessing risks must be open to public
scrutiny at every stage. The media have a right to challenge scientists and Government. That is part of
their role in a democracy. And they have a right to provoke debate. But they also have a responsibility. For
fair and accurate reporting. They should not stoke up fears. We need intelligent reporting of science.
Based on facts. Not dumbed down, sensational scare mongering based on circulation wars. [...]
We need the media to report science in a responsible manner. But that also calls for scientists to develop a
better understanding of dealing with the media, to ensure they explain issues clearly and in jargon-free
terms. We must recognise, however, that some research, however well explained, will be unpopular though
vital. There are those who say that some aspects of scientific enquiry are innately undesirable and should
stop. The response should be to go back to first principles and say: let science discover the facts; let us
then make our judgement. But do not put our judgement ahead of the facts.
That is so even in areas as difficult as GM crops. There are legitimate concerns. We need rational public
debate about these. This Government will protect the ability of science to pursue its research. [...]
Finally, if we are to build a society which is comfortable with scientific developments - where people
have the information they need to make their own assessment of the risks and benefits - then we need to
widen opportunities for young people to engage in science. [...] We need a whole generation inspired
by the opportunities of the biomedical revolution - just as an earlier one was by space and aerospace.
And we need to extend scientific literacy. [...]
When the applications of science are properly regulated and address clear human needs, they win public
support. [...] Britain will succeed as a 21 st century nation only if it has a confident relationship with
science. And that is what we are aiming to make possible.
Alguns textos que foram relevantes para minha análise:
- “Tecnologia e aceleração do crescimento”, artigo de Roberto Nicolsky (Inst. de Física,
UFRJ). Valor Econômico, 14 de setembro de 2007.
- Brígido, C. “Células-tronco embrionárias: Cientista apela à Justiça”. O Globo, 29 de
fevereiro de 2008.
Prime Minister speech: Science matters
Discurso proferido pelo então Primeiro Ministro do Reino Unido, Tony Blair,
na Royal Society de Londres, em 10 de abril de 2002
Disponível em:
http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/Page1715.asp
(acesso em maio de 2008)
When 12 men founded the Royal Society in 1660, it was possible for an
educated person to encompass all of scientific knowledge. In fact, that was
probably true for more than half of this body's existence. [...]
But in the last century, and in particular in the last 50 years, such has been the
pace of scientific advance that even the best scientists cannot keep up with
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