Scientists Should “Start” to Get Involved in Politics

A presentation at a science convention has urged that scientists get involved in politics. From the blog description of the presentation:

This morning, a group of panelists issued a call to action to a standing-room-only crowd at the American Society for Cell Biology’s 47th Annual Meeting: Scientists must get involved in policy issues, and they have to start now.

Start? What the heck do the presenters think “the scientists” been doing since 2001, sipping tea at the Waldorf?

The session—which included scientists, a congressional staffer, and other advocates—focused on how scientists can become involved in advocating for federal dollars for embryonic stem cell research. It’s an urgent need, the panelists noted: Since the recent discovery of factors that appear to convert adult human cells into pluripotent cells, opponents of ESC work have stepped up their game, saying the new findings make embryonic work unnecessary.

More to make human cloning unnecessary, but consider this: Embryonic stem cell research has been funded to the tune of about $2 billion! How much more money do “the scientists” think they need? Oh yes, I forgot: They want a blank check, both financially and ethically, and they intend to get it through, yes, politics.

The problem with science isn’t that it has failed to become sufficiently political, but that it is threatened with descending to the level of a mere special interest due to hyper-politicization. If that happens, “the scientists” can kiss the support of the public goodbye.