Mathews Debra J H, Kalfoglou Andrea, Hudson Kathy
Genetics and Public Policy Center, Phoebe R. Berman Bioethics Institute, Johns Hopkins University, 100 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
Am J Med Genet A. 2005 Aug 30;137(2):161-9. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.a.30849.
Though much research about the public's views of scientists, genetic research and its moral, ethical, and social implications exists, little has been done to investigate how scientists view their own role(s) in public discussions and policy formation related to genetic research and technologies. We interviewed 20 academic geneticists in the United States about their perceptions of the roles they and others (e.g., professional societies, the public, ethicists, and elected officials) do and should play in the formation of science policy, the communication of science to the public, and the public discussions of moral and ethical issues raised by scientific advances. The participants in our study thought that scientists should be more actively involved in public outreach and science policy formation, but frequently they felt ill-equipped and unsupported by their peers and institutions to pursue these activities. Furthermore, many were skeptical of or did not trust elected officials--who they consider uninformed about the issues and too driven by political agendas--to formulate sound science policy. They do, however, have faith in the ability of scientific societies to influence policy effectively, and some thought that societies should play a larger role, both in science policy and as a liaison between scientists and the public. Finally, participants offered suggestions for increasing the involvement and influence of scientists in science-policy formation and public discourse.
尽管已经有很多关于公众对科学家、基因研究及其道德、伦理和社会影响的看法的研究，但在调查科学家如何看待自己在与基因研究和技术相关的公众讨论和政策形成中的角色方面，却做得很少。我们采访了20位美国学术遗传学家，询问他们对自己以及其他人（如专业协会、公众、伦理学家和当选官员）在科学政策形成、向公众传播科学以及公众对科学进步引发的道德和伦理问题的讨论中所扮演的角色的看法。我们研究中的参与者认为科学家应该更积极地参与公众宣传和科学政策形成，但他们经常觉得自己缺乏能力，且得不到同行和机构的支持来开展这些活动。此外，许多人对当选官员持怀疑态度或不信任他们——认为他们对这些问题了解不足，且过于受政治议程驱动——无法制定合理的科学政策。然而，他们确实相信科学协会有能力有效地影响政策，一些人认为协会应该在科学政策以及作为科学家与公众之间的联络方面发挥更大的作用。最后，参与者就如何增加科学家在科学政策形成和公众话语中的参与度和影响力提出了建议。
