EASAC discusses policy ground rules

A summit on getting more scientific advice to be taken up during policy-making is to become a regular feature to establish some rules of engagement for researchers and politicians.

Attendees of the European Academies Science Advisory Council’s first summit on science-informed policy have considered the role of scientists in political decisions regarding extreme weather, genetic modification, and consumer genetic testing kits. Speaking at the summit, held in Budapest, EASAC president Jos van der Meer said that such meetings were vital for establishing the ground rules and trust needed for scientists to be able to advise politicians on controversial topics.

The meeting considered three EASAC reports which said that better preparedness is needed for the increasing number of floods, droughts and heat waves, that scientists have reached a consensus that GM and plant breeding technologies are safe for the environment, and that genetic testing services that are sold directly to consumers are not beneficial and may be harmful.