46 
C. Public Participation in Science and Technology Decision 
Making 
(1) Scientific Societies . — Scientists all over the world are organized, 
usually by specific discipline, into associations or societies for purposes 
ranging from the need to have a common forum for the exchange of 
new developments, to the more recent phenomenon to have a com- 
munity of effort for strenghtening involvement in public policy deter- 
minations. The effectiveness of these organizations in determining 
science policies has been a matter of interest for some time. Representa- 
tives of several of these organizations were asked to discuss the manner 
in which they are responding to the expressions of interest in partici- 
pating in public policy matters. The Federation of American Scien- 
tists, with long experience in the debates over nuclear power, has de- 
veloped a number of techniques for gaining participation by scientists 
in policy matters. 
Dr. Stone 
Jeremy Stone, Federation of American Scientists, stated that he 
could summarize five lessons which could be learned from the DNA 
issue. These are: (1) There were enough researchers engaged in this 
field with a sense of public responsibility to direct attention to the 
issue very early in the work ; (2) many of these scientists were willing 
to confront the issue in public, and since it is difficult to clearly define 
the dangers, it has taken great courage to discuss the problem in a 
highly emotional and speculative atmosphere; (3) the history of the 
issue shows that it is extremely difficult to stop such research — since it 
is international in scope it would have gone forward even if the United 
Stdtes had banned the research; (4) the issue is unusual since it is the 
research which is considered dangerous and not just the following tech- 
nological development which is usually the case ; and (5) even though it 
may appear otherwise, the scientists should take encouragement from 
the fact that the public reaction thus far has been restrained. 
Dr. Stone indicated that for most scientists, being socially respon- 
sible means avoiding "irresponsible conduct.” Actually, the Federation 
view is that scientific responsibility means "social responsibility.” 
Since there appears to be only a minority of scientists willing to take 
the time to become involved in issues of social policy, the Federation 
has suggested several actions which the government might take to 
encourage greater participation by scientists. Dr. Stone suggested that 
political bodies, like the Subcommittee, might ask the scientists in a 
formal way what is going on; take a little more time to listen to those 
scientists who respond; make it financially feasible for scientists to 
speak up; and commend scientists who do take the time from their 
research to enter the public policy debates which center on scientific 
issues. After a discussion of several of the ways by which the govern- 
ment already fosters public participation in lobbying efforts through 
the structure of the tax laws, Dr. Stone indicated that still more needs 
to be accomplished. Although the Science for Citizens concept being 
addressed by the National Science Foundation is a step in the right 
direction, there is always a tendency to direct such efforts more toward 
education in science rather than education about the implications for 
society of scientific developments. It is this latter point which Dr. 
Stone indicates needs more support. By recognizing the efforts of 
[Appendix B — 95] 
