In late November 2011 there was murmuring about the possibility that Anne Glover, then Chief Science Adviser for Scotland, was due to be announced as Europe’s first Chief Science Adviser (mentioned in my Nov. 24, 2011 posting). Now that the announcement has been made, Glover has been profiled in a Feb. 14, 2012 article by Jop de Vrieze for ScienceInsider.
Amongst other things she discusses Europeans and their attitudes towards risk and new technologies in the context of genetically modified organisms (GMO) and nanotechnology,
Q: You mean Europe is too risk-adverse when it comes to new technologies?
A.G.: If you take people’s opinions, for instance by looking at the Eurobarometer, people seem to be reluctant to accept innovative technologies. They are suspicious almost just because it’s new, rather than thinking: “Oh this is new, I need to find out more about it so that I can judge.” At the moment, we are way too much on the side of: “It is new I don’t want it, not even discuss it.” This leaves the door open for pressure groups which are against certain things and have a very loud voice. There should be more communication about the rewards of the technologies. I would like to balance that.
Q: Are you talking about genetically modified organisms (GMOs)?
A.G.: Yes, that is the most important example. In the beginning, decades ago, people were careful to get good regulations in place. Over time, it has been shown that GMO is not a risky technology. But people seem not to have all the information they need to make their own decision. It is not up to Europe to say: “You have to do this,” but give the information and let them choose.
Q: Has communication been the problem?
A.G.: Yes. And if we have the same misinformation that was used around GMOs in the relatively new field of nanotechnology, we could severely disinhibit our ability to contribute to that market. That would be an enormous loss for Europe.
She goes on to discuss her plans for the future, the budget necessary to get there and dealing with the European Commission’s bureaucracy.