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The Forum > Article Comments > Science, technology and the millennium development goals > Comments

Science, technology and the millennium development goals : Comments

By John Zillman, published 19/10/2005

John Zillman sees growing co-operation between science and government in developing the Millennium Goals

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Commendable as the comments in the article are, they add up to a sad deficiency.
Surely science has the mathematical ability to alert governments of the existence of limits in a finite world.
No alarm has been expressed about society's needs expanding at an exponential rate as the world's population increases at greater than 1% per annum - doubling in less then 70 years. And set to double again at the same rate that if there is no change.
And if the present apartheid relating to well-being across the world is to cease, then society's needs, which science is attempting to address, will multiply the increasing burden. To infinity, or in actuality - until nature steps in and takes charge. Reaching that point is accelerated by the current developed world's fetish for economic growth. Science either knows this, or is turning a blind eye to it.
While "hope springs eternal" might be a good thing up to a point, failure to factor the reality of limits into programmes for action is negligent on the part of scientific advisers.
Posted by colinsett, Wednesday, 19 October 2005 12:12:08 PM
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As with so many ideas, the devil is in the details. It is easy to say that:

"One of the most important challenges we face is that of using science wisely and objectively to inform public policy."

I couldn't agree more. The trick is figuring how to get it done. If the real goal of the great majority of politicians is to get re-elected and help their party gain power or stay in power, then the great majority of advice to our "Leaders" will be on how to win votes, NOT set good policy. Science can help with the setting of good policy, but as Colin's example above illustrates, when there are no votes in good policy then there is no need to get good policy advice.

It is a great idea for the scientific community to ensure that the objectivity and integrity of their advice is unassailble, but that implies that the scientific community is one homogenous mass that always has the same opinion on everything. It don't work that way. John Howard picked the chief scientist of the coal board to advise him on greenhouse. I'm sure he is full of objective and honest advice.

We can't expect our political leaders to seek the best scientific advice until we demand that they do it and demand that they set good policy that stretches into the future. One way to get that moving would be to demand more science education in schools and promote better understanding of science in the media. There are lots of difficult decisions that require a knowledge of some science that will vitally impact our future. Colin's example is probably the most important but there are many others such as depletion of resources like water and oil, rural policy, stem cell research and pollution. An informed citizenry can move politicians, an uninformed citizenry will simply hope for the best. Right now we are hoping for the best and not getting it.

A simple proof of the lack of urgency on this topic, is that there are only 2 comments on this forum.
Posted by ericc, Thursday, 20 October 2005 11:14:16 AM
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Once again I am wondering how easy even the most enlightened people the participants of this forum are, buy UN propaganda aiming just funding towards look-so-human-and-noble activities.

Sorry all, at the time of drafting the documents, this topic was broadly discussed in undp.groups.org, and not all practically involved already shared optimism and real value of a project
Posted by MichaelK., Thursday, 20 October 2005 3:01:07 PM
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It is all very well to proliferate Science and Technology to all members of the United Nations in the name of economic development, but are all nations, and their associated non national/ non Governmental actors equally civilized enough not to use that Science and Technology against each other in acts of war and terror? There are currently problems with the proliferation of
Nuclear Science and Technology to rogue nation states, such as Iran and North Korea. More of the same can be expected
with current and future nanotechnology and biotechnology developments, among others. All aspects of science and technology
can be used for destructive as well as constructive purposes.
To date the world community has been relatively lucky. Two nuclear explosions in 1945 and thousands of nuclear warheads
available for more. Accelerating use of and depletion of fossil fuel resources are one aspect. Greenhouse gases and global warming are another. With the use of Science and Technology, there are both intended and unintended destructive outcomes.
Is the global proliferation of Science and Technology in the national interest? In constructive terms, in bringing about economic and social improvement it will enhance regional and global stability. On the other hand, if rogue political entities obtain and misuse science and technology, the consequences could be catastrophic.
Posted by KnowAllKnowWhat, Wednesday, 2 November 2005 4:13:56 PM
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Well,

Elementary water supply and environmental-protection-related issues are at the top of agenda.

And no consensus on improving the scientific potential of developing world and major tasks to start with.
Posted by MichaelK., Thursday, 3 November 2005 11:55:54 AM
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