Politics in science

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http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/article/58/2010032920100329024246731bc9a23a3/Politics-in-science.html

 

N Vittal

 

 

Politics in science

 

 

Issues of global warming and genetically modified food have made us wonder if we are entering a new era where science has become a political issue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By N Vittal

 

 

 

 

 

Posted On Monday, March 29, 2010 at 02:42:46 AM

 

 

 

 

 

We are living in an age shaped by science and technology. Our economy is described as the knowledge economy because of the enormous value contributed by science and technology for every good and services of our daily life.Science

has made much progress because of some key features which distinguish it from other sectors of human activity. Science arises out of innate human curiosity about nature. It is the effort of the human intelligence

and reasoning skills to understand natural phenomena and the scientific

laws behind them. Applying this knowledge to invent new devices is technology.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Green movement has emerged as a major force in the politics of the world

 

 

 

The fundamental reason behind the impressive growth of science and technology is the cast iron rule they follow. It is a rule which may be called as the rule of provability of fallibility. In science, it is not who that articulates a rule or principle that matters. It is whether that rule or principle can be backed by empirical proof. That is how the

Euclidean paradigm was replaced by that of Newton in the 17th century. In the 20th century, Newton’s paradigm itself was replaced by Einstein’s

concept of relativity and the time space continuum theory. The more science and technology affect the lives of people the more it becomes like politics. It is not what is claimed as scientifically correct that matters, it has to be also accepted by a majority of the people. Two

recent developments have underlined the increasing element of politics in what should be purely scientific issues. This is not surprising because these issues are no longer confined to science but affect large populations. The first is the global issue of environmental degradation.

Starting with some far-seeing scientists in the 60s, the green movement

has now emerged as a major force in the politics of the world. The seal

was set when Al Gore, former US vice-president who lost the 2000 presidential elections, impressed the world with his strong advocacy about global warming through his powerful documentary — An Inconvenient Truth. In the process, he was awarded a Nobel prize for peace.Along

with him Dr R K Pachauri, who is heading United Nations International Commission on Climate Change (IPCC), also got a share in the prize. Incorrect

claims about melting of the Himalayan glaciers in the IPCC document on climate change have become a major source of embarrassment and a matter of controversy in recent times. While Dr Pachauri is making a valiant effort to save his reputation, the issue of global warming itself has become a question mark. One thing is clear. The issue is no longer merely scientific. A whole lot of powerful business and other vested interests are involved. Companies claiming to have green technologies and solutions to the problems of renewable energy as well as insurance companies eyeing the billions of dollars involved on carbon trading are the current champions of the green movement.The second issue is not only a global one but also directly concerned with food. The controversy over genetically modified brinjal (Bt Brinjal) has now become an interesting conflict between the approval given by the official committee of Central government on genetically modified food and the activists who see the hand of profit hungry multinationals like Monsanto behind genetically modified products. Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has called for a ceasefire by postponing the decision till

further tests are conducted and more evidence is collected.Are we entering a new era where even science ultimately becomes an issue of politics? After all the basic and fundamental principle in science is the

commitment to truth. Truth which can be empirically tested. But then in

cases like genetically modified food or environment the time horizons are such that it may not be possible to have conclusive proof. This means that such issues have to be decided on the basis of the best evidence available. Total transparency and an open mind are the best guarantee so far as such scientific issues are concerned. A healthy

scepticism may be the best attitude to adopt in such cases. The child in the story of the emperor’s new clothes should be the ideal for our times.In the last decade, N Vittal, the former CVC, emerged as the voice of our collective conscience. This is his weekly take on public life in India

 

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