SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

the role of academies of sciences and humanities

Prof. Dr. Pieter J.D.DrenthPresident All European Academies (ALLEA)

Trust in science

Trust is the most important pillar on which science rests

Eurobarometer 2005: Europeans consider themselves poorly informed, resulting in sceptical attitudes.

Paradox: People expect science to solve most current and future problems. At the same time fear, scepticism and negative sentiments.

Not all criticism is objectionable. Questions and criticiisms have to be given serious attention

7th Framework programme

Academies and other scientific organisations and agencies have an important role with respect to public opinions

FP7: - Embedding throughout 7th FP– Focussing on core themes– Co-ordination of national programmes

Communication

Insufficient and unfair communication is part of the problem

Much of our knowledge with respect to pressing questions and problems is uncertain, probabilistic and contingent

Important task for ALLEA’s Working Group on ‘science and the media’.

Not for all socio/ethical difficultiesin science the blaim can be laid at the door of (mis)communication; problems can be related to nature of scientific endeavour, or to (lack of) integrity of scientist.

External social/ethical problems in science

Justification of choice of subject

Independence from ‘interested’ parties

Responsibilioty for what is being done with the research results

Ethical problems raised by the scientific developments themselves (stem cells, g-m food, nuclear fission)

No go decisions?– Abuse of science not to be blamed on science itself– Constraints to be imposed on science is dangerous path– Some ‘no go’ decisions incontestable– More room for ‘slow go’ decisions?

Internal ethical problems

Improper behaviour viz-à-viz subjects of research

Improper dealing with general public and media

Disregarding rules of good practice

Manipulation of data or interpretation (fraud and deceit)

Infringement of intellectual property rights

Occurrence of misconduct

Hard data difficult to obtain

Number of reported cases in public media growing

Fully-fledged cases still rare, but smaller lapses may not, and often go unnoticed

Causes vary (external pressure, financial incentives, vanity), but increasing pressure on researchers to produce and to publish certainly important cause.

Many corrective or preventive measures have been proposed and introduced, but development of scientific conscience and fostering proper sense of values most important

Role of ACADEMIES ?

Academies have an important advisory role, also regarding ethical issues

Scientific misconduct case of growing concern

Often no official protocol

Many academies have already developed prescriptive set of rules, code of conduct, procedure for handling reported cases of misconduct

ESF: - National academies should draw up national codes of good scioentific practice

– National academies shopuld initiatie discussions on procedures for investigating scientific misconduct

Associations of Academies

Placing issue on the agenda

Stimulation, information and advice with respect to individual academies

International coordination: alignment around common principles?

Dealing with misconduct in international research

ALl European Academies (ALLEA)

Memorandum on scientific integrity

Proposal: National Committee on Scientific Integrity: advisory board / science court of appeal

Model to stimukate discussion and to coordinate European approach