Category Archives: Science
The Circular Economy
Whatever your feelings about the European Union, it’s undeniable that the bloc is good at setting ambitious targets. Many of these are definitely good ideas, but meeting the goals is generally less successful. In this sense, the Commission appears to … Continue reading
Here’s to Elon Musk
Last week, I mentioned Elon Musk’s deep pessimism about the impact of artificial intelligence on the human race. I don’t share that pessimism, but it seems to be one of the key motivators of this driven, innovative and (so-far) very … Continue reading
Artificial Intelligence: blessing or curse?
For decades, writers and film makers have imagined a world in which computers and robots have advanced to the stage where they are, at least in some respects, more capable than their creators. Science fiction allows us to explore both … Continue reading
Certainty breeds intolerance
Certainty is usually thought of as a virtue, and we often regard those who lack firm views on an issue as indecisive or weak. In fact, it can be a mixed blessing, with a refusal to change position sometimes leading … Continue reading
What has science ever done for us?
With apologies to Monty Python, this seems like as good a title as any for what I have to say this week, prompted by an essay on the BBC website by Sir Venki Ramakrishnan, current president of the Royal Society … Continue reading
Acceptable opinions
Last week, I wrote about the apparent lack of balance in the present EU review of the ubiquitous weedkiller, glyphosate (Double standards in safety assessments). On one hand, MEPs showed themselves only too willing to be swayed by what they … Continue reading
Double standards in safety assessments
Two years ago, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), an advisory body to the World Health Agency, published an apparently damning report on glyphosate, one of the most widely-used herbicides around the world, and marketed by Monsanto under … Continue reading
Monochrome Vision
As most readers will already be very well aware, toxicity is a relative term. But for the general public, this simple but important concept is all too often misunderstood. For many people, if something is toxic, then it’s dangerous, end … Continue reading
Risk-free food
Food plays a unique part in our lives. At minimum, it is essential for life, but it also has great cultural significance. For those of us lucky enough to live in peaceful, prosperous societies, eating can be an important source … Continue reading
A Manifesto for Science
Today, we have published our Manifesto for Science, a subject that has received virtually no coverage in this election campaign. The full text is below: A MANIFESTO FOR SCIENCE The Scientific Alliance believes that generating new knowledge and applying it … Continue reading
The Scientific Alliance 
