Out of the loop: why lay views of science are heard but not obeyed

Public dialogue has become an integral part of the policymaking process, but those in power still pay more heed to the technocrats, says Melanie Smallman.

Fifteen years ago, in the aftermath of mad cow disease, the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee looked into the relationship between science and the public. Its report, Science and Society, published in 2000, identified a “crisis in trust” that could lead to technology being ignored or abused. 

The report called for a “new mood for dialogue”, which would “help the decision-maker to listen to public values and concerns; and give the public some assurance that their views are taken into account, increasing the chance that decisions will find acceptance”.