Science Canada: 03/17/09

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Science minister won't confirm belief in evolution

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 2:15 PM

Researchers aghast that key figure in funding controversy invokes religion in science discussion
Mar 17, 2009
ANNE MCILROY
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090317.GOODYEAR17/TPStory/National

An experiment mixing scientists and government

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 2:14 PM

Mar 17, 2009
PRESTON MANNING
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090316.wcoscience17/BNStory/specialComment/home

‘Difficult times for research’

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 2:14 PM

Private-sector spending on R&D has decreased along with federal government spending.
Mar 17, 2009
Mohammed Adam
The Ottawa Citizen
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/business/fp/Difficult+times+research/1396029/story.html

Environmentalist agenda needs a booming economy

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 2:14 PM

Mar 17, 2009
Dan Gardner
Canwest News Service
http://www.vancouversun.com/business/fp/Environmentalist+agenda+needs+booming+economy/1396699/story.html

Tories place two-year waiver on assessments

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 2:13 PM

Minister cites need to create jobs, stimulate economy in broadening exemptions from federal environmental regulations
Mar 17, 2009
DAWN WALTON
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090317.wassess17/BNStory/National/home

Health benefits of fish overblown, researchers say

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 2:13 PM

Farley Mowat joins in CMAJ call to limit seafood consumption
Mar 17, 2009
MARTIN MITTELSTAEDT
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090317.FISH17/TPStory/Environment

Clinical trials: the balance between protecting participants and promoting drug and product development

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 2:13 PM

Mar 17, 2009
Miriam Shuchman, MD
Canadian Medical Association Journal
http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/180/6/603

Harper defends science strategy to scientists

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 2:12 PM

Mar 16, 2009
The Canadian Press
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5ix2n89uPSDVn3fFzF3SIZ5ods-TQ

Brain cancer linked to youngsters using cellphones

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 2:12 PM

Mar 16, 2009
Sarah Schmidt
Canwest News Service
http://www.montrealgazette.com/Health/Brain+cancer+linked+youngsters+using+cellphones/1395572/story.html

Ontario Green Party leader pushes for consumer-based carbon tax

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 2:11 PM

Mar 16, 2009
BRIAN KELLY
THE SAULT STAR
http://www.saultstar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1480145

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.

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 United States, there are numerous research centers, and many scientists that are being trained in science policy, numerous networks and organization which provide a strong base for science policy discourse and strong lobby for science in mainstream of the society. One of the latest examples of this effective science lobby in the United States is the efforts to hold a debate dedicated to science and technology between the candidates in 2008 presidential race. There has already been one public debate of scientific advisers of both democratic presidential candidates, and the efforts to convince the final two candidates to dedicate one debate to science and technology has been continued. Regardless of appropriateness of such debate, the fact that serious efforts are present and has taken momentum somehow that according to polls 85% of voters agree with having one debate on science issues , indicates that science policy discourse in the United States is in the mainstream of American society.

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

Science Canada

Science minister won't confirm belief in evolution

An experiment mixing scientists and government

‘Difficult times for research’

Environmentalist agenda needs a booming economy

Tories place two-year waiver on assessments

Health benefits of fish overblown, researchers say

Clinical trials: the balance between protecting participants and promoting drug and product development

Harper defends science strategy to scientists

Brain cancer linked to youngsters using cellphones

Ontario Green Party leader pushes for consumer-based carbon tax

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