Some scientists have criticized the practice of combining politics with scientific policy-but now a group of scientists has stepped out of the laboratory and into the public sphere.
Last Wednesday, several prominent scientists-including some from Duke-formed the non-partisan group Scientists and Engineers for America in order to increase public awareness of how political ideology can inhibit scientific progress in controversial areas such as stem-cell research and global warming.
"Scientists have been marginalized and we've allowed this to happen," said Nobel Laureate Peter Agre, one of the founders of the organization and Duke University Medical Center's vice chancellor for science and technology. "Today, every source of a scientist's energy goes into getting funding, while scientists are sidelined from important issues."
Mike Brown, executive director of SEA, said the group was inspired by Scientists and Engineers for Change-a group that promoted knowledge of scientific policy during the 2004 election.
SEA will raise awareness about the views of politicians but hopes to be a lasting organization that can foster long-term public awareness about scientific issues.
Agre, who is no stranger to discussions regarding scientific policies, said most talks within the walls of the institutions have had little national impact.
Brown said the organization has attracted 3,000 members during the last week. In addition to Agre, founders of Scientists and Engineers include one other Nobel Laureate, two former Clinton White House advisers and Susan F. Wood-who left the Food and Drug Administration last year in response to its failure to approve Plan B emergency contraception, The New York Times reported.
Founders and other scientists within the group hope to use fame, among other things, to push their agenda through discussions, community forums-and possibly even television appearances, Brown said.
Group members will also use blogs and the SEA website to spread their message and to foster a dialogue between the public and scientists.
"It's a public relations issues-it's time to come out and represent what we do, as well as inspire our graduate students and the public," Agre said.
The group's Bill of Rights condemns "false or misleading" information generated by the federal government and urges federally funded scientists not to be afraid to speak out against policies. Agre and Brown noted that when scientists are linked to policy issues concerning science, they are often depicted as extremists with detached or one-dimensional perspectives.
Although nonpartisan, a number of SEA's views oppose those of the George W. Bush administration.
"There are a large number of candidates supported by constituents who stick together based on purely ideological views-candidates who manipulate science," Agre said. "That's not the way it should be."
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