Science Canada: 07/16/09

Dozens of projects, billions in investment at risk, energy group says
Jul 15, 2009
Tyler Hamilton
Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/business/article/666309

A plan must engage the public

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:19 PM

It is good that Canada has a plan for the H1N1 pandemic. But it involves choices, which need discussion
Jul 16, 2009
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/editorials/a-plan-must-engage-the-public/article1219950/

A world of competing sorrows

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:19 PM

There's a flu pandemic and health-care resources are scarce. How do we decide who lives and who dies?
Jul 16, 2009
Margaret Somerville
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/a-world-of-competing-sorrows/article1219511/

Interview: 'A busy time' for rookie health minister

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:18 PM

Amid flu pandemic and isotope crisis, Leona Aglukkaq tells The Globe: ‘You always expect that you will be on the hot seat for something'
Jul 16, 2009
Gloria Galloway
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/a-busy-time-for-rookie-health-minister/article1219866/

Ontario pushes electric cars as auto-sector boost

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:18 PM

July 15, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/07/15/ont-electric-cars511.html

Sparks fly over electric cars

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:17 PM

Premier offers rebates to ease sticker shock, but critics call plan a misguided 'bribe'
Jul 16, 2009
Tanya Talaga
Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/article/667057

Manitoba's First Nations raising $1.5M to fight swine flu

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:17 PM

July 16, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/07/16/manitoba-swine-flu.html

Sask. considers hormone therapy alternatives

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:17 PM

July 15, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/07/15/sask-premarin.html

Make mental health care more accessible, Ont. minister says

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:17 PM

July 14, 2009
The Canadian Press
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/07/14/mental-health-ontario.html

Soaring nuclear costs make green option more attractive

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:16 PM

Jul 15, 2009
Cherise Burda
Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/666293

Risky political strategies could turn out the lights

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:16 PM

Jul 15, 2009
Andy Frame
Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/Article/666292

Why so much noise about wind?

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:16 PM

Life is full of choices, four doctors argue, and wind turbines are more healthy than the alternatives
Jul 13, 2009
John Howard, Warren Bell, Alan Abelsohn and Cathy Vakil
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/why-so-much-noise-about-wind/article1216749/

Shake the MAPLE tree

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:15 PM

Isotope panel should look at the cancelled MAPLE project
July 15, 2009
Terence Corcoran
Financial Post
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fpcomment/archive/2009/07/15/terence-corcoran-shake-the-maple-tree.aspx

How to solve the medical isotope crisis

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:15 PM

The MAPLE reactors faced challenges. But they did work
July 15, 2009
Jill Chitra
Financial Post
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fpcomment/archive/2009/07/15/how-to-solve-the-medical-isotope-crisis.aspx

Incorrect N.L. cancer test numbers rise to 425

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:15 PM

July 16, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/07/16/cancer-newfoundland-716.html

Pathologists push for better cancer tests

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:14 PM

July 15, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/07/15/pathologists-best-practice-butany.html

Link between hormone therapy, ovarian cancer boosted by study

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:14 PM

July 16, 2009
Reuters
http://www.healthzone.ca/health/article/667058

Charlottetown battles purple loosestrife

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:14 PM

July 15, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/07/15/pei-charlottetown-loosestrife.html

Pine beetles continue to infest Alberta trees

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:13 PM

July 14, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/07/14/edmonton-pine-beetle.html

Saskatoon on guard against gypsy moths

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:13 PM

July 14, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/07/14/sask-gypsy.html

Woman who gave birth at 66 dies, reigniting IVF debate

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:13 PM

As the world's oldest mother to give birth leaves behind twin sons in death, experts are again debating who should be allowed to undergo infertility treatments
Jul 15, 2009
Dave McGinn
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/woman-who-gave-birth-at-66-dies-reigniting-ivf-debate/article1219661/

Caloric restriction: Living longer through fewer calories?

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:12 PM

July 16, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/07/15/f-calorie-restriction-lifespan-extension.html

Experts hail Sahara-Europe solar plan

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:12 PM

July 14, 2009
William Ickes
AFP
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/technology/Experts+hail+Sahara+Europe+solar+plan/1790305/story.html

Greenlight given for first British 'eco towns'

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:12 PM

July 16, 2009
AFP
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/technology/Greenlight+given+first+British+towns/1796957/story.html

A small help in easing the isotope crisis

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:11 PM

Nanoscience could provide an alternate method of diagnosis, in some cases, to the nuclear technology required for current medical imaging
Jul 16, 2009
Anne McIlroy
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/a-small-help-in-easing-the-isotope-crisis/article1219825/

Wal-Mart creating environmental index for its goods

Posted by Jeff Sharom at 5:11 PM

Tool could allow customers to measure how green or sustainable a product is
Jul 15, 2009
Nicole Maestri
Reuters
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/science/wal-mart-creating-environmental-index-for-its-goods/article1219519/

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

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

Upcoming Science Policy Conferences and Seminars

ConnexScience.ca

More Canadian Science Blogs

Science Policy in Canada

Science policy around the world

Science News

Tags

Search

WELCOME TO SCIENCE CANADA

Why Science Canada?

Blog Archive