Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Starting out in research
- 3 Getting down to research
- 4 Scientific ethics and conduct
- 5 Publish or perish?
- 6 Communication and getting known
- 7 Moving up
- 8 Responsibilities
- 9 Funding research
- 10 Who owns science?
- 11 Science and the public
- 12 Power, pressure and politics
- 13 Social aspects of science
- 14 So who does want to be a scientist?
- Index
11 - Science and the public
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 06 July 2010
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Starting out in research
- 3 Getting down to research
- 4 Scientific ethics and conduct
- 5 Publish or perish?
- 6 Communication and getting known
- 7 Moving up
- 8 Responsibilities
- 9 Funding research
- 10 Who owns science?
- 11 Science and the public
- 12 Power, pressure and politics
- 13 Social aspects of science
- 14 So who does want to be a scientist?
- Index
Summary
The ideas of the educated lay public on the nature of scientific enquiry and the intellectual character of those who carry it out are in a state of dignified, yet utter, confusion.
Scientists sometimes feel a little aggrieved that most ordinary folk are so little interested and impressed by their calling.
Science affects every aspect of life, at least in the Western world. Most of this is taken for granted. Some aspects, such as new medicines for people and their animals, better transport systems and faster computers, are valued enormously by the ‘general public’ (i.e. those who do not participate directly in scientific activities). Other facets can be disliked, distrusted and even feared, such as genetically modified foods, cloning, or the use of animals in research.
As scientists, we are members of society and have a responsibility to that society. This includes not only acting in an ethical and responsible manner, but also disseminating and explaining what we do and discover, the implications and applications of our research and the potential benefits, and being honest and open about potential disadvantages or failures.
THE CHANGING SCENE
The responsibilities of scientists to society at large have changed significantly in recent years. Just a decade or so ago, most of the scientific community would assume it perfectly acceptable to work on whatever they chose (as long as they could obtain sufficient funds), without concerns about the potential impact of their discoveries or about explaining their research to non-scientists.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Who Wants to be a Scientist?Choosing Science as a Career, pp. 137 - 146Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2002