Biological research is progressing at an ever increasing pace. The findings
are affecting, and will continue to affect, us in many way whether through the
use of biotechnology to produce novel plants and food, through screening
procedures to monitor the presence of genes predisposing individuals or their
offspring to disease, through the sequencing of the human genome, or the
cloning of sheep etc. In addition, both nature and human activities have given
rise to a number of high-level problems, among them AIDS, BSE and food
poisoning. These have led in turn to further biological research to provide an
understanding of what has happened and to find solutions.
Generally we are in large part dependent on the media for information on most
of these issues. This dependency raises a number of questions. How effective
are the media at providing the basis for public understanding? How good are
the relationships between the media and scientists? Are scientists
unappreciative of the need to 'tell a story'? Are the public and the
journalists unwilling or unable to 'read the small print' attached to
scientific findings? Do journalists exploit scientific results to sell
newspapers through scare stories? Do scientists use the media to drum up
support for their own pet research? Who do we trust (if anyone) to tell us the
truth about a subject?
Perhaps if we can come to some conclusions on some of these questions we can
help to promote a better public understanding of science and a little less
paranoia?
- ------------------------------------------------
Geoff Seavers
IACR-Long Ashton Research Station
Department of Agricultural Sciences
University of Bristol
Long Ashton
Bristol
BS18 9AF
Email Address : geoff.seavers@bbsrc.ac.uk
Telephone : (+44) (0)1275 392181
Fax : (+44) (0)1275 394007
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