Risky Advice: Unregulated technology runs amok

Truthout - Andy Stirling and Alister Scott, Project Syndicate: "Why do we seem to be witnessing an increasing number of nasty technological surprises? Indeed, this year's Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan and last year's BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico have taken their place alongside older problems, such as ozone depletion. We believe that the way in which scientific advice is developed and communicated lies at the heart of the question. Science is increasingly used to support what are essentially public-policy decisions, particularly concerning new and complex technologies." Read more.