Science Policy and Social Change Michael Crow May 2003

Science is a Principal Driver of Change SOCIAL CHANGE Internet ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE Climate NATIONAL SECURITY CHANGE Weapons of Mass Destruction HEALTH AND MEDICAL CHANGE Biotechnology SCIENCE- BASED ECONOMY

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 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 InputsProcessesProductsOutcomes

Indications of Societal Transformation GMO controversy Affordability of AIDS drugs Lack of medical insurance Aging of the population Public school system Rising atmospheric CO 2 levels

Perceived Quality of Life

Health Indicators Health Attainment, 1999 Health Expenditures (Disability-adjusted life expectancy) as % of GDP 1. Japan (74.5) 7.1% 3. France (73.1) 9.8% 4. Sweden (73.0) 9.2% 12. Canada (72.0) 8.6% 14. U.K. (71.7) 5.8% 22. Germany (70.4) 10.5% 24. U.S. (70.0) 13.7% 96. Iran (60.5) 4.4% 134. India (53.2) 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 Conduct of Science Economic Outcomes S&T Outcomes Societal Outcomes POLICY New industries Tech transfer Knowledge transfer Knowledge Networks New social structures Education New skills New institutions

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)