Don't alienate your advisers, chief scientist tells ministers
source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/aug/03/chief-scientist-government-relationship-acade...
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Ministers risk alienating their science advisers by dragging them into public rows over politically sensitive policy decisions, the government's chief scientist has warned. Leading academics will be discouraged from working with government if they fear being reprimanded for expressing their views, says Prof John Beddington, who took over the post from Sir David King last year.
Government relies heavily on independent advice from academics, but is in danger of eroding the relationship and squandering their expertise, Beddington told ministers.
The situation is particularly fraught when eminent scientists are asked to advise on politically sensitive issues, such as the government's drug policy. A debate over the risks of recreational drugs erupted into a public row in February when the former home secretary, Jacqui Smith, vetoed recommendations from her own drug advisers to downgrade ecstasy from its class A status.
A parliamentary report published last week directed further criticism at ministers for demonstrating a cavalier attitude to scientific evidence, which was often viewed as "at best a peripheral concern, and at worst as a political bargaining chip."
The report by the Commons innovation, universities, science and skills committee called on chief scientists within government departments to name and shame ministers who flout scientific advice when formulating policies.
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Government relies heavily on independent advice from academics, but is in danger of eroding the relationship and squandering their expertise, Beddington told ministers.
The situation is particularly fraught when eminent scientists are asked to advise on politically sensitive issues, such as the government's drug policy. A debate over the risks of recreational drugs erupted into a public row in February when the former home secretary, Jacqui Smith, vetoed recommendations from her own drug advisers to downgrade ecstasy from its class A status.
A parliamentary report published last week directed further criticism at ministers for demonstrating a cavalier attitude to scientific evidence, which was often viewed as "at best a peripheral concern, and at worst as a political bargaining chip."
The report by the Commons innovation, universities, science and skills committee called on chief scientists within government departments to name and shame ministers who flout scientific advice when formulating policies.
Con't on link
