Taking Sides: Clashing Views in Science, Technology, and Society

UNIT 1 THE PLACE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN SOCIETY

Issue 1. Does Politics Come Before Science in Current Government Decision Making?

YES: 40226 Union of Concerned Scientists, from Scientific Integrity in Policymaking: An Investigation into the Bush Administration's Misuse of Science (Union of Concerned Scientists, 2004)

NO: 40227 John H. Marburger, III, from "Statement on Scientific Integrity in the Bush Administration" (April 2, 2004)

The Union of Concerned Scientists argues that the Bush administration displays a clear pattern of suppression and distortion of scientific findings across numerous federal agencies. These actions have consequences for human health, public safety, and community well-being. Speaking for the Bush administration, John H. Marburger III argues that the Bush administration strongly supports science and applies the highest scientific standards in decision making, but science is only one input to the policy-making process.

Issue 2. Should Government Restrict the Publication of Unclassified but "Sensitive” Research?

YES: 36611 Lewis M. Branscomb, from "The Changing Relationship Between Science and Government Post-September 11," in Albert H. Teich, Stephen D. Nelson, and Stephen J. Lita, eds., Science and Technology in a Vulnerable World (Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2002)

NO: 46365 Ronald M. Atlas, from "Securing Life Sciences Research in an Age of Terrorism," Issues in Science and Technology (Fall 2006)

Lewis M. Branscomb asserts that because the results of much scientific research have the potential to aid terrorists, there is a need to control the publication and distribution of "sensitive but unclassified" information. Ronald M. Atlas argues that voluntary measures now under development around the world will prevent misuse of life science research and help "avert government-imposed restrictions on information exchange that could be draconian in their impact."

Issue 3. Should the Internet Be Neutral?

YES: 46366 Lawrence Lessig, from Testimony before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Hearing on “Network Neutrality” (February 7, 2006)

NO: 46368 Kyle D. Dixon, from Testimony before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Hearing on “Network Neutrality” (February 7, 2006)

Law professor Lawrence Lessig argues that imposing network-access fees on content providers would unduly interfere with innovation in an important area of the economy. Building network neutrality into law would thus keep major network companies from imposing fees and slowing the economy. Kyle D. Dixon, director of the Federal Institute for Regulatory Law & Economics at the Progress & Freedom Foundation, argues that lacking demonstrated abuses, a network neutrality law would unfairly limit corporate investment and innovation and thereby reduce consumer welfare.

UNIT 2 THE ENVIRONMENT

Issue 4. Should Society Act Now to Halt Global Warming?

YES: 46190 Nicholas Stern, from Stern Review: The Economics of Climate Change (October 30, 2006)

NO: 40237 Bush Administration, from "Global Climate Change Policy Book" (February 2002)

Nicholas Stern, head of the British Government Economics Service, reports that although taking steps now to limit future impacts of global warming would be very expensive, the economic and social impacts of not doing so will be much more expensive. The Bush administration’s plan for dealing with global warming insists that short-term economic health must come before reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. It is more useful to reduce "greenhouse gas intensity" or emissions per dollar of economic activity than to reduce total emissions.

Issue 5. Is It Time to Revive Nuclear Power?

YES: 42288 Michael J. Wallace, from Testimony before the United States Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources, Hearing on the Department of Energy's Nuclear Power 2010 Program (April 26, 2005)

NO: 46240 Karen Charman, from "Brave Nuclear World," World Watch (July/August 2006)

Michael J. Wallace argues that because the benefits of nuclear power include energy supply and price stability, air pollution control, and greenhouse gas reduction, new nuclear power plant construction--with federal support--is essential. Karen Charman argues that nuclear power's drawbacks and the promise of clean, lower-cost, less dangerous alternatives greatly weaken the case for nuclear power.

Issue 6. Will Hydrogen Replace Fossil Fuels for Cars?

YES: 46362 David L. Bodde, from "Fueling the Future: The Road to the Hydrogen Economy," Statement Presented to the Committee on Research and Subcommittee on Energy, U.S. House of Representatives (July 20, 2005)

NO: 40239 Michael Behar, from "Warning: The Hydrogen Economy May Be More Distant Than It Appears," Popular Science (January 2005)

Professor David L. Bodde argues that there is no question whether hydrogen can satisfy the nation's energy needs. The real issue is how to handle the transition from the current energy system to the hydrogen system. Michael Behar argues that the public has been misled about the prospects of the "hydrogen economy." We must overcome major technological, financial, and political obstacles before hydrogen can be a viable alternative to fossil fuels.

UNIT 3 HUMAN HEALTH AND WELFARE

Issue 7. Do Falling Birth Rates Pose a Threat to Human Welfare?

YES: 40240 Michael Meyer , from "Birth Dearth," Newsweek (September 27, 2004)

NO: 40241 Daivd Nicholson-Lord, from "The Fewer the Better," New Statesman (November 8, 2004)

Michael Meyer argues that when world population begins to decline after about 2050, economies will no longer continue to grow, government benefits will decline, young people will have to support an elderly population, and despite some environmental benefits, quality of life will suffer. David Nicholson-Lord argues that the economic problems of population decline all have straightforward solutions. A less-crowded world will not suffer from the environmental ills attendant on overcrowding and will, overall, be a roomier, gentler, less materialistic place to live, with cleaner air and water.

Issue 8. Is There Sufficient Scientific Evidence to Conclude That Cell Phones Cause Cancer?

YES: 30738 George Carlo and Martin Schram, from Cell Phones: Invisible Hazards in the Wireless Age (Carroll & Graf, 2001)

NO: 40242 United Kingdom’s National Radiation Protection Board, from Mobile Phones and Health 2004: Report by the Board of NRPB" (DOC NRPB 15(5), 2004)

Public health scientist George Carlo and journalist Martin Schram argue that there is a definite risk that the electromagnetic radiation generated by cell phone antennae can cause cancer and other health problems. The National Radiation Protection Board (now the Radiation Protection Division, http://www.hpa.org.uk/radiation/, of the United Kingdom’s Health Protection Agency) argues that there is no clear indication of adverse health effects, including cancer, from the use of mobile phones, but precautions are nevertheless in order.

Issue 9. Should DDT Be Banned Worldwide?

YES: 32906 Anne Platt McGinn, from "Malaria, Mosquitoes, and DDT," World Watch (May/June 2002)

NO: 42297 Donald R. Roberts, from Statement before the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works, Hearing on the Role of Science in Environmental Policy-Making (September 28, 2005)

Anne Platt McGinn, a senior researcher at the Worldwatch Institute, argues that although DDT is still used to fight malaria, there are other, more effective and less environmentally harmful methods. She maintains that DDT should be banned or reserved for emergency use. Donald R. Roberts argues that the scientific evidence regarding the environmental hazards of DDT has been seriously misrepresented by anti-pesticide activists. The hazards of malaria are much greater and, properly used, DDT can prevent them and save lives.

Issue 10. Should Potential Risks Slow the Develop ment of Nanotechnology?

YES: 46364 John Balbus, Richard Denison, Karen Florini, and Scott Walsh, from "Getting Nanotechnology Right the First Time," Issues in S...