Comments from Sense About Science and CaSE on the Government’s version of the principles
Tracey Brown, Managing Director of Sense About Science:
“We welcome the Government’s publication of principles for independent scientific advice and the fact that the principles make explicit to ministers and departmental staff the basis of independent advice. However, we are very concerned about the inclusion of the stipulation that ‘The Government and its scientific advisers should work together to reach a shared position, and neither should act to undermine mutual trust.’ This seems to describe exactly the collusion between Ministers and advisers on animal feed that preceded BSE. It re-introduces the ambiguity that we thought we were all seeking to eliminate through the development of these principles. How will advisers know whether, in answering a question at a lecture or from a journalist one morning, they might be undermining mutual trust with the Government?”
Nick Dusic, Director of the Campaign for Science & Engineering:
“Lord Drayson has acted swiftly to rebuild confidence in the government’s scientific advisory system following the dismissal of Professor Nutt. However, the government’s principles on scientific advice do not explicitly protect scientific advisers from being summarily dismissed by ministers in the future. This needs to be rectified in the final version so that scientific advisers can feel safe in discussing the evidence relevant to controversial policy issues.”
Last updated: December 15 2009