Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Scientists must not be muzzled

By David Dickson - posted Tuesday, 15 June 2010


Academic freedom does not extend to challenging the motivations of other researchers, only to the truth or otherwise of their statements. This is similar to the way that the freedom of the press does not extend, for example, to invasions of personal privacy.

But in any case, the courts should not be the arbiters in disputes over the validity of claims for demonstrated or hypothesised scientific evidence. The peer review process, despite its many shortcomings, is still the best mechanism we have for making judgments about scientific advances and differences.

Legal action should not be used to prevent a scientist from making public statements based on expert opinion, however strongly expressed - or however contentious the topic.

Advertisement

Bringing laws to heel

It is appropriate that this issue is being taken up by national science academies (as in the case in Peru). But concern should extend beyond the scientific community. All countries should examine their defamation laws and assess whether they may discourage informed debate on key issues of social concern.

For example, Britain's new coalition government has promised to consider legal changes that would better protect individuals such as Singh and allow them to play a robust part in key debates, without the fear that an ambiguous phrase could lead to personal bankruptcy, or even a prison sentence.

Other countries currently empowered - as Peru apparently is - to act against scientists should consider whether it is in the public interest to do so. The recent threat by the Indian government to imprison researchers warning against the dangers of genetically modified crops is a case in point (see Mutual respect in the GM crop debate).

Scientists have a responsibility to speak out about topics on which they hold expert knowledge, particularly if this knowledge can better inform a political debate. But society, in turn, has a responsibility to protect scientists when they do.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. All

First published by SciDev.net on June 4 2010.



Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

17 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

David Dickson is director and editor of the website SciDev.org
He was news editor of Nature from 1993 to August 2001, and was the journal’s Washington correspondent from 1977 to 1982. Originally a graduate in mathematics, he has also worked for The Times Higher Education Supplement (1973-1977), Science (1982-1989) and New Scientist (1989-1992).

Other articles by this Author

All articles by David Dickson

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Article Tools
Comment 17 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy