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Session 1Scientific Literacy and Public Engagement in Science Policy Issues: What is the Relationship?However important improved public understanding of science might be, it is only part of the picture of how society reacts to new developments in science and technology, especially when controversy breaks out. Extensive research supports strong roles for values, beliefs and trust, arguably stronger factors in many cases than the role of science literacy by itself. For example, people may oppose embryonic stem cell research because they believe the embryo has a right to live. They may oppose agricultural biotechnology because they do not trust large corporations or want to preserve family farms, which they see as threatened by this trend. They may oppose nuclear power because they do not believe assurances from government or industry that it is safe. And they may reject evolution on religious grounds even though they understand what the theory has to say. Even wind-generated power may be opposed on aesthetic grounds. In seeking public support for science and technology, we need to move beyond the common assumption that it is only knowledge deficits that must be addressed. |
