Nov 20, 2008
ANDRE PICARD
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081120.wpicard20/BNStory/specialScienceandHealth/home
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
ir a principal |
Ir a lateral
The goal of the Science Canada website is to highlight science policy issues in Canada's political arena and media.
Contribute to Science Canada: e-mail us!
tvo.org
The Scientific Workforce Policy Debate
Blogging Science
We need a forum on science policy
The Canadian Science Policy Centre
Visit the new Canadian Science Policy Centre: http://sciencepolicy.ca
Upcoming Science Policy Conferences and Seminars
ConnexScience.ca
Visit the newly launched online hub for the Canadian science, technology and engineering community:
http://connexscience.ca
http://connexscience.ca
More Canadian Science Blogs
The Black Hole: Science in Canada - Issues Affecting Trainees
Researcher Forum
Cross-Border Biotech
FrogHeart
Nicole Arbour's blog
Piece of Mind
The Bubble Chamber
Daniel Lemire's blog
Nano and Nano- Bio, Info, Cogno, Neuro, Synbio, Geo, Chem
RRResearch
CMBR
Canadian BioTechnologist2.0
MaRS Blog
Research Innovation Commercialization (RIC) Blog
Researcher Forum
Cross-Border Biotech
FrogHeart
Nicole Arbour's blog
Piece of Mind
The Bubble Chamber
Daniel Lemire's blog
Nano and Nano- Bio, Info, Cogno, Neuro, Synbio, Geo, Chem
RRResearch
CMBR
Canadian BioTechnologist2.0
MaRS Blog
Research Innovation Commercialization (RIC) Blog
Science Policy in Canada
CANADIAN SCIENCE POLICY DOCUMENTS:
Review of Federal Support to Research and Development: Expert Panel Consultation Paper (2010)
Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada's Advantage: Progress Report 2009
Innovation and Business Strategy: Why Canada Falls Short (2009)
State of The Nation 2008 - Canada's Science, Technology and Innovation System (2009)
Connecting the Dots between University Research and Industrial Innovation (2008)
Sixteenth Report of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology - Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada’s Advantage (2008)
Inter-Sectoral Partnerships for Non-Regulatory Federal Laboratories (2008)
OECD Science, Technology and Industry Outlook 2008 - Country Notes - Canada
Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada's Advantage (2007)
A Map of the Interface Between Science & Policy (2007)
The State of Science and Technology in Canada (2006)
People and Excellence: The Heart of Successful Commercialization - Final Report of the Expert Panel on Commercialization, Volume 1 (2006)
People and Excellence: The Heart of Successful Commercialization - Final Report of the Expert Panel on Commercialization, Volume 2 (2006)
Toward a Canadian Action Agenda for Biotechnology (2006)
Human Genetic Materials, Intellectual Property and the Health Sector (2006)
BioPromise? Biotechnology, Sustainable Development and Canada’s Future Economy (2006)
In the Service of Canadians: A Framework for Federal Science and Technology (2005)
LINKS - Linkages in the National Knowledge System: Fostering a Linked Federal S&T Enterprise (2005)
Human Genetic Materials: Making Canada’s Intellectual Property Regime Work for the Health of Canadians (2005)
Protecting Privacy in the Age of Genetic Information (2004)
Biotechnology and the Health of Canadians (2004)
Federal Science and Technology: The Pursuit of Excellence (2003)
SCOPE - Science Communications and Opportunities for Public Engagement (2003)
A Framework for the Application of Precaution in Science-based Decision Making about Risk (2003)
Genomics, Heath and Society: Emerging Issues for Public Policy (2003)
National Summit on Innovation and Learning: Summary (2002)
Achieving Excellence: Investing in People, Knowledge and Opportunity (2002)
Knowledge Matters: Skills and Learning for Canadians (2002)
Science and Technology Advice: A Framework to Build On (2002)
EDGE - Employees Driving Government Excellence: Renewing S&T Human Resources in the Federal Public Service (2002)
Creating Common Purpose: The Integration of Science in Canada’s Public Service (2002)
Patenting of Higher Life Forms and Related Issues (2002)
Improving the Regulation of Genetically Modified Foods and other Novel Foods in Canada (2002)
Tenth Report of the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology - Canada’s Innovation Strategy: Peer Review and the Allocation of Federal Research Funds (2002)
READ - Reinforcing External Advice to Departments (2001)
Fifth Report of the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology - A Canadian Innovation Agenda for the Twenty-First Century (2001)
A Framework for Federal Science & Technology Advice: Principles and Guidelines for the Effective Use of Science and Technology Advice in Government Decision Making (2000)
Reaching Out: Canada, International Science and Technology, and the Knowledge-based Economy (2000)
Stepping Up: Skills and Opportunities in the Knowledge Economy (2000)
Building Excellence in Science and Technology (BEST): The Federal Roles in Performing Science and Technology (1999)
Public Investments in University Research: Reaping the Benefits (1999)
SAGE - Science Advice for Government Effectiveness (1999)
Forging Ahead - A Report on Federal Science and Technology (1999)
Building Momentum - A Report on Federal Science and Technology (1998)
Science and Technology for the New Century: A Federal Strategy (1996)
CANADIAN SCIENCE POLICY LINKS:
Council of Canadian Academies
Science, Technology and Innovation Council
Science.gc.ca
House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology
Senate Standing Committee On Social Affairs, Science And Technology
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
Genome Canada
Canada Foundation for Innovation
International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
Networks of Centres of Excellence
Innovations Systems Research Network (ISRN)
Program on Globalization and Regional Innovation Systems (PROGRIS) at the University of Toronto
Centre for Policy Research on Science and Technology (CPROST) at Simon Fraser University
Carleton Research Unit on Innovation Science and Environment (CRUISE)
Interuniversity Research Center on Science and Technology at the Université du Québec à Montréal
Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology (IHPST) at the University of Toronto
McGill Office for Science and Society
Science, Technology and Society Program at the University of Calgary
Institute for Science, Society and Policy at the University of Ottawa
Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR)
Royal Society of Canada: The Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada
Science Media Centre of Canada
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC)
Canadian Association for Graduate Studies (CAGS)
Canadian Association of Postdoctoral Scholars (CAPS)
Canadian Science Writers' Association
The Partnership Group for Science and Engineering (PAGSE)
MaRS Discovery District
The Biotechnology Initiative (TBI)
Canadian Consortium for Research (CCR)
Research Canada
Science and Technology Awareness Network (STAN)
Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC)
Royal Canadian Institute (RCI) for the Advancement of Science
Society of Canadian Women in Science and Technology (SCWIST)
Public Policy Forum
Conference Board of Canada
Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP)
Canadian Policy Research Networks (CPRN)
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA)
The Centre for Innovation Studies (THECIS)
Institute for Competitiveness and Prosperity
Science Rendezvous
Let’s Talk Science
Youth Science Canada
Universites Matter
David Suzuki Foundation
Friends of CIHR
Canadians for Health Research
Agence Science-Presse
Innovation in Canada [archived]
Advisory Council on Science and Technology (ACST) [archived]
Canadian Biotechnology Advisory Committee (CBAC) [archived]
Review of Federal Support to Research and Development: Expert Panel Consultation Paper (2010)
Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada's Advantage: Progress Report 2009
Innovation and Business Strategy: Why Canada Falls Short (2009)
State of The Nation 2008 - Canada's Science, Technology and Innovation System (2009)
Connecting the Dots between University Research and Industrial Innovation (2008)
Sixteenth Report of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology - Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada’s Advantage (2008)
Inter-Sectoral Partnerships for Non-Regulatory Federal Laboratories (2008)
OECD Science, Technology and Industry Outlook 2008 - Country Notes - Canada
Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada's Advantage (2007)
A Map of the Interface Between Science & Policy (2007)
The State of Science and Technology in Canada (2006)
People and Excellence: The Heart of Successful Commercialization - Final Report of the Expert Panel on Commercialization, Volume 1 (2006)
People and Excellence: The Heart of Successful Commercialization - Final Report of the Expert Panel on Commercialization, Volume 2 (2006)
Toward a Canadian Action Agenda for Biotechnology (2006)
Human Genetic Materials, Intellectual Property and the Health Sector (2006)
BioPromise? Biotechnology, Sustainable Development and Canada’s Future Economy (2006)
In the Service of Canadians: A Framework for Federal Science and Technology (2005)
LINKS - Linkages in the National Knowledge System: Fostering a Linked Federal S&T Enterprise (2005)
Human Genetic Materials: Making Canada’s Intellectual Property Regime Work for the Health of Canadians (2005)
Protecting Privacy in the Age of Genetic Information (2004)
Biotechnology and the Health of Canadians (2004)
Federal Science and Technology: The Pursuit of Excellence (2003)
SCOPE - Science Communications and Opportunities for Public Engagement (2003)
A Framework for the Application of Precaution in Science-based Decision Making about Risk (2003)
Genomics, Heath and Society: Emerging Issues for Public Policy (2003)
National Summit on Innovation and Learning: Summary (2002)
Achieving Excellence: Investing in People, Knowledge and Opportunity (2002)
Knowledge Matters: Skills and Learning for Canadians (2002)
Science and Technology Advice: A Framework to Build On (2002)
EDGE - Employees Driving Government Excellence: Renewing S&T Human Resources in the Federal Public Service (2002)
Creating Common Purpose: The Integration of Science in Canada’s Public Service (2002)
Patenting of Higher Life Forms and Related Issues (2002)
Improving the Regulation of Genetically Modified Foods and other Novel Foods in Canada (2002)
Tenth Report of the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology - Canada’s Innovation Strategy: Peer Review and the Allocation of Federal Research Funds (2002)
READ - Reinforcing External Advice to Departments (2001)
Fifth Report of the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology - A Canadian Innovation Agenda for the Twenty-First Century (2001)
A Framework for Federal Science & Technology Advice: Principles and Guidelines for the Effective Use of Science and Technology Advice in Government Decision Making (2000)
Reaching Out: Canada, International Science and Technology, and the Knowledge-based Economy (2000)
Stepping Up: Skills and Opportunities in the Knowledge Economy (2000)
Building Excellence in Science and Technology (BEST): The Federal Roles in Performing Science and Technology (1999)
Public Investments in University Research: Reaping the Benefits (1999)
SAGE - Science Advice for Government Effectiveness (1999)
Forging Ahead - A Report on Federal Science and Technology (1999)
Building Momentum - A Report on Federal Science and Technology (1998)
Science and Technology for the New Century: A Federal Strategy (1996)
CANADIAN SCIENCE POLICY LINKS:
Council of Canadian Academies
Science, Technology and Innovation Council
Science.gc.ca
House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology
Senate Standing Committee On Social Affairs, Science And Technology
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)
Genome Canada
Canada Foundation for Innovation
International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
Networks of Centres of Excellence
Innovations Systems Research Network (ISRN)
Program on Globalization and Regional Innovation Systems (PROGRIS) at the University of Toronto
Centre for Policy Research on Science and Technology (CPROST) at Simon Fraser University
Carleton Research Unit on Innovation Science and Environment (CRUISE)
Interuniversity Research Center on Science and Technology at the Université du Québec à Montréal
Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology (IHPST) at the University of Toronto
McGill Office for Science and Society
Science, Technology and Society Program at the University of Calgary
Institute for Science, Society and Policy at the University of Ottawa
Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR)
Royal Society of Canada: The Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada
Science Media Centre of Canada
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC)
Canadian Association for Graduate Studies (CAGS)
Canadian Association of Postdoctoral Scholars (CAPS)
Canadian Science Writers' Association
The Partnership Group for Science and Engineering (PAGSE)
MaRS Discovery District
The Biotechnology Initiative (TBI)
Canadian Consortium for Research (CCR)
Research Canada
Science and Technology Awareness Network (STAN)
Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC)
Royal Canadian Institute (RCI) for the Advancement of Science
Society of Canadian Women in Science and Technology (SCWIST)
Public Policy Forum
Conference Board of Canada
Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP)
Canadian Policy Research Networks (CPRN)
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA)
The Centre for Innovation Studies (THECIS)
Institute for Competitiveness and Prosperity
Science Rendezvous
Let’s Talk Science
Youth Science Canada
Universites Matter
David Suzuki Foundation
Friends of CIHR
Canadians for Health Research
Agence Science-Presse
Innovation in Canada [archived]
Advisory Council on Science and Technology (ACST) [archived]
Canadian Biotechnology Advisory Committee (CBAC) [archived]
Science policy around the world
INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE POLICY DOCUMENTS:
Science for Policy Project: Final Report (Bipartisan Policy Center, 2009)
The Bioeconomy to 2030: Designing a Policy Agenda (OECD, 2009)
OECD Work on Innovation - A Stocktaking of Existing Work (2009)
The Science of Science Policy (U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy, 2008)
Encouraging Student Interest in Science and Technology Studies (OECD, 2008)
The Global Competition for Talent: Mobility of the Highly Skilled (OECD, 2008)
The Internationalisation of Business R&D: Evidence, Impacts and Implications (OECD, 2008)
Open Innovation in Global Networks (OECD, 2008)
OECD Science, Technology and Industry Outlook 2008
Integrating Science & Technology into Development Policies: An International Perspective (OECD, 2007)
Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators in a Changing World - Responding to Policy Needs (OECD, 2007)
OECD Principles and Guidelines for Access to Research Data from Public Funding (2007)
OECD Science, Technology and Industry Scoreboard 2007 - Highlights
Women in Scientific Careers: Unleashing the Potential (OECD, 2006)
Government R&D Funding and Company Behaviour - Measuring Behavioural Additionality (OECD, 2006)
Creating Value from Intellectual Assets (OECD, 2006)
Innovation and Knowledge-Intensive Service Activities (OECD, 2006)
Innovation in Energy Technology: Comparing National Innovation Systems at the Sectoral Level (OECD, 2006)
Innovation in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology - Comparing National Innovation Systems at the Sectoral Level (OECD, 2006)
OECD Science, Technology and Industry Outlook 2006
Governance of Innovation Systems: Volume 1 - Synthesis Report (OECD, 2005)
Governance of Innovation Systems: Volume 2 - Case Studies in Innovation Policy (OECD, 2005)
Governance of Innovation Systems: Volume 3 - Case Studies in Cross-Sectoral Policy (OECD, 2005)
University Research Management - Developing Research in New Institutions (OECD, 2005)
Innovation Policy and Performance - A Cross-Country Comparison (OECD, 2005)
OECD Science, Technology and Industry Outlook 2004 - Highlights
Challenges and Risks of Genetically Engineered Organisms (OECD, 2004)
Science and Innovation Policy: Key Challenges and Opportunities (OECD, 2004)
Governance of Public Research: Toward Better Practices (OECD, 2003)
Turning Science into Business: Patenting and Licensing at Public Research Organisations (OECD, 2003)
Genetic Inventions, Intellectual Property Rights and Licensing Practices: Evidence and Policies (OECD, 2002)
Dynamising National Innovation Systems (OECD, 2002)
Benchmarking Industry-Science Relationships (OECD, 2002)
Technology Policy and the Environment (OECD, 2002)
OECD Science, Technology and Industry Outlook 2002
International Mobility of the Highly Skilled (OECD, 2001)
Innovative People: Mobility of Skilled Personnel in National Innovation Systems (OECD, 2001)
Innovative Clusters: Drivers of National Innovation Systems (OECD, 2001)
OECD Science, Technology and Industry Outlook 2000 - Highlights
Science for Policy Project: Final Report (Bipartisan Policy Center, 2009)
The Bioeconomy to 2030: Designing a Policy Agenda (OECD, 2009)
OECD Work on Innovation - A Stocktaking of Existing Work (2009)
The Science of Science Policy (U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy, 2008)
Encouraging Student Interest in Science and Technology Studies (OECD, 2008)
The Global Competition for Talent: Mobility of the Highly Skilled (OECD, 2008)
The Internationalisation of Business R&D: Evidence, Impacts and Implications (OECD, 2008)
Open Innovation in Global Networks (OECD, 2008)
OECD Science, Technology and Industry Outlook 2008
Integrating Science & Technology into Development Policies: An International Perspective (OECD, 2007)
Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators in a Changing World - Responding to Policy Needs (OECD, 2007)
OECD Principles and Guidelines for Access to Research Data from Public Funding (2007)
OECD Science, Technology and Industry Scoreboard 2007 - Highlights
Women in Scientific Careers: Unleashing the Potential (OECD, 2006)
Government R&D Funding and Company Behaviour - Measuring Behavioural Additionality (OECD, 2006)
Creating Value from Intellectual Assets (OECD, 2006)
Innovation and Knowledge-Intensive Service Activities (OECD, 2006)
Innovation in Energy Technology: Comparing National Innovation Systems at the Sectoral Level (OECD, 2006)
Innovation in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology - Comparing National Innovation Systems at the Sectoral Level (OECD, 2006)
OECD Science, Technology and Industry Outlook 2006
Governance of Innovation Systems: Volume 1 - Synthesis Report (OECD, 2005)
Governance of Innovation Systems: Volume 2 - Case Studies in Innovation Policy (OECD, 2005)
Governance of Innovation Systems: Volume 3 - Case Studies in Cross-Sectoral Policy (OECD, 2005)
University Research Management - Developing Research in New Institutions (OECD, 2005)
Innovation Policy and Performance - A Cross-Country Comparison (OECD, 2005)
OECD Science, Technology and Industry Outlook 2004 - Highlights
Challenges and Risks of Genetically Engineered Organisms (OECD, 2004)
Science and Innovation Policy: Key Challenges and Opportunities (OECD, 2004)
Governance of Public Research: Toward Better Practices (OECD, 2003)
Turning Science into Business: Patenting and Licensing at Public Research Organisations (OECD, 2003)
Genetic Inventions, Intellectual Property Rights and Licensing Practices: Evidence and Policies (OECD, 2002)
Dynamising National Innovation Systems (OECD, 2002)
Benchmarking Industry-Science Relationships (OECD, 2002)
Technology Policy and the Environment (OECD, 2002)
OECD Science, Technology and Industry Outlook 2002
International Mobility of the Highly Skilled (OECD, 2001)
Innovative People: Mobility of Skilled Personnel in National Innovation Systems (OECD, 2001)
Innovative Clusters: Drivers of National Innovation Systems (OECD, 2001)
OECD Science, Technology and Industry Outlook 2000 - Highlights
Science News
Science debate .org
AAAS Science and Policy
U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy
Science Insider
SciDev .net
Nature News
Nature News Blog
Science News
Science Blogs
CBC Technology and Science
Globe and Mail Science
Toronto Star Sci-Tech
Canada.com Science
University Affairs
The Economist Science and Technology
Medicine Matters
AAAS Science and Policy
U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy
Science Insider
SciDev .net
Nature News
Nature News Blog
Science News
Science Blogs
CBC Technology and Science
Globe and Mail Science
Toronto Star Sci-Tech
Canada.com Science
University Affairs
The Economist Science and Technology
Medicine Matters
Tags
Search
WELCOME TO SCIENCE CANADA
The goal of the Science Canada website is to highlight science policy issues in Canada's political arena and media.
Science policy is the discipline that lies at the interface of the scientific enterprise and public administration. It encompasses two related and complementary spheres: (i) “policy for science” – strategies for managing and enhancing the conduct of scientific research; and (ii) “science for policy” – mechanisms by which scientific knowledge informs government decision-making. Science Canada aims to keep you up-to-date on recent developments on both fronts.
PS - In the interests of promoting healthy debate and reflecting the full marketplace of ideas, links to many types of opinion pieces are posted here... including ones with which I may strongly disagree. (Don't interpret a link to an editorial as an endorsement of its point of view.)
Happy reading!
Jeff Sharom
Connect with Jeff Sharom on LinkedIn or Nature Network.
Science policy is the discipline that lies at the interface of the scientific enterprise and public administration. It encompasses two related and complementary spheres: (i) “policy for science” – strategies for managing and enhancing the conduct of scientific research; and (ii) “science for policy” – mechanisms by which scientific knowledge informs government decision-making. Science Canada aims to keep you up-to-date on recent developments on both fronts.
PS - In the interests of promoting healthy debate and reflecting the full marketplace of ideas, links to many types of opinion pieces are posted here... including ones with which I may strongly disagree. (Don't interpret a link to an editorial as an endorsement of its point of view.)
Happy reading!
Jeff Sharom
Connect with Jeff Sharom on LinkedIn or Nature Network.
Why Science Canada?
Canadian scientific community suffers from lack of active engagement in decision making processes, dynamic network of science advocacy and lobbying. That is due to various factors but mainly lack of strong professional associations, and as result frail networks, and absence of science policy discourse in the mainstream of Canadian society. However the involvement of scientists at decision making levels differs in different provinces depending on the degree of cosy relationship and personal friendship between the scientists and policy makers rather than strong professional and systematic engagement.
In
It is time for Canadian scientific community to start bringing science into mainstream of Canadian society and get engage in policy making processes. The necessity of dynamic scientific community being involved at policy making levels, in collaboration with social scientists, technology experts, engineers, government officials, policy makers and private sector, has not ever been more urgent. It is up to Canadian scientists to recognize the need and starts preparing essentials for this goal.
Mehrdad Hariri
Blog Archive
- ► 2009 (3771)
-
▼
2008
(925)
-
▼
November
(307)
-
▼
Nov 20
(36)
- Science, technology funding to drop in 2008-09: St...
- Automakers detail electric car plans at L.A. show
- Lawyers, CEOs named to run Alberta's health services
- Fast-food ad ban could cut child obesity: U.S. study
- Lung disease must become provincial priority: form...
- Leaks prompt CFIA to investigate juice boxes
- Rapid treatment best for infants infected with HIV...
- Who Will Click With President 2.0?
- Saving Canada's polar bears: Unbearable pursuits
- Ontario must hire medical officers of health: Report
- Ottawa pledges better food, toy safety
- PM looks to fall in with U.S. on climate
- When it comes to statins, don't believe the hype
- A toke a day keeps memory loss at bay
- More research needed into foodborne diseases: WHO
- Polluters liable, even if they follow the rules, t...
- 'Applause' for B.C.'s carbon tax at California speech
- Africa looks to closer cooperation on climate change
- Food agency admits silence a mistake
- Rae, Ignatieff, LeBlanc ditch Green Shift
- Melting ice now main driver of rising sea levels: ...
- Environmentalists promote 'green stimulus'
- Doctors allege intimidation in raising drug warnin...
- Lead contamination levels drop in Canadians : Stat...
- Canada wants North America cap-and-trade system
- Telus to invest $100 million over three years in n...
- Dangerous bacteria on rise, expert warns
- Lawmakers pass landmark climate change bill
- Canadian emissions increase by 22 per cent
- Young Europeans are enthusiastic about science – b...
- Politicians persuaded to save Canada boreal forest
- Text of the speech from the throne
- Meeting climate commitments to open new avenues of...
- Shots All Around!
- As in town, so in country
- Algae possibly holds the secret to resolving some ...
-
▼
Nov 20
(36)
-
▼
November
(307)
Copyright © 2008 Science Canada
Design by Design Disease | Blogger template by Blog and Web
0 comments:
Post a Comment