On the Importance of Science to Society: A Call for Government Action

In the May 2020 issue of BioScience, AIBS President Dr. Charles Fenster and Executive Director Dr. Robert Gropp urge governments to coordinate to promote greater understanding of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, including the development of a vaccine. They further call on governments to “build the infrastructure needed to foster timely scientific exchange and the conversion of scientific information into responsible public policy - both domestically and internationally, for the current and future crises.” They further warn, “Understanding the origins of the current global health crisis resulting from the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, demands attention beyond the immediate needs of stopping its spread, caring for those suffering from COVID-19, finding medical interventions, and protecting healthcare workers. There will be more global health crises in the future, along with other global challenges, such as those arising from biodiversity loss and climate change. Society must do a better job of investing in scientific research and incorporating what is learned into responsible and forward-looking public policy—decisions guided by fact and not wishful or magical thinking.” Read On the Importance of Science of Science to Society at https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biaa047      
Source: Public Policy Reports - Category: Biology Authors: Source Type: news