Scientists ask Medvedev protection against obscurantist
text: Ivan Panin /Infox.ru
30 Russian scientists from institutes of different countries have written an open letter to the head of Dmitry Medvedev and President of the Russian Academy of Sciences Yuri Osipov, which stated the need to introduce scientific expertise in government programs.
Russian scientists working in Russia and other countries have written an open letter to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and President of the Russian Academy of Sciences Yuri Osipov. They expressed the need of scientific expertise in government programs, and also spoke in support of the Academy of Sciences committee on the fight against pseudoscience and falsification of scientific research.
Scientists "are seriously concerned about the actual exception of scientific and technical expertise of the decision-making process on critical and strategically important areas of public policy in Russia. "We are confident that the lack of such expertise in making decisions about the implementation of major national projects and strategic state programs, such as the project" Clean Water "associated with modern high technology - is unacceptable and may lead eventually to a national catastrophe "- said in 1930 the signatories of the letter authors, working in research institutes USA, Japan, Netherlands, Sweden, Mexico, Venezuela and Russia.
Читать дальше...
"The role of science, both fundamental and applied, in a modern society can not be overemphasized. In developed countries, leaders of economic development, science and education play a key role not only in the economic prosperity of these states, but also in creating a common culture and education among the population, which, of course, also increases and the quality of life for every citizen, - the open letter. - With the support of the state science has to perform another function: to prevent the emergence of social quackery and obscurantism, the heyday of which, as history shows, is an indicator of the extremely low level of education in the country, with disastrous moral, intellectual and physical degradation of the population. In addition, one of the key tasks of science - forming an expert research area, one private, but the important roles that - professional and objective assessment of scientific and technical make up of innovative projects.
Russian scientists working in Russia and other countries have written an open letter to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and President of the Russian Academy of Sciences Yuri Osipov. It expressed the need of scientific expertise in public programs, and also spoke in support of the Academy of Sciences committee on the fight against pseudoscience and falsification of scientific research.
Scientists "are seriously concerned about the actual exception of scientific and technical expertise of the decision-making process on critical and strategically important areas of public policy in Russia. "We are confident that the lack of such expertise in making decisions about the implementation of major national projects and strategic state programs, such as Project Clean Water" associated with modern high technology - is unacceptable and may lead eventually to a national catastrophe "- said in 1930 the signatories of the letter authors, working in research institutes USA, Japan, Netherlands, Sweden, Mexico, Venezuela and Russia.
"The role of science, both fundamental and applied, in a modern society can not be overemphasized. In developed countries, leaders of economic development, science and education play a key role not only in the economic prosperity of these states, but also in creating a common culture and education among the population, which, of course, also increases and the quality of life for every citizen, - the open letter. - With the support of the state science has to perform another function: to prevent the emergence of social quackery and obscurantism, the heyday of which, as history shows, is an indicator of the extremely low level of education in the country, with disastrous moral, intellectual and physical degradation of the population. In addition, one of the key tasks of science - forming an expert research area, one private, but the important roles that - professional and objective assessment of scientific and technical make up of innovative projects.
In defense of RAS
The letter writers emphasized that the scientific community should be independent of the views of officials and politicians. There should be a principal possibility of repeated testing or scientific research, technical provisions unrelated experts and scientific groups, including at the international level. Finally, the letter stresses the importance of professional ethics.
"In our country, all these functions historically assigned to the largest scientific organization with a long tradition and prestige in the international scientific community, - the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS). At the public (underscore) Organizations - Academy of Sciences committee on the fight against pseudoscience and falsification of scientific research, initiated by Nobel laureates, prominent Russian scientist Vitaly Ginzburg Lazarevicha and composed of leading Russian scientists, behind which the academic study of world level, is responsible, in particular , the function of anti-quackery in science "- note the authors of the letter.
According to them, "despite the serious efforts of the president and government of Russia, so far in Russia there is a situation in which the importance of science and education in society is incomprehensible to most people and even a large part of public servants. This led to the flourishing actually publicly funded scientific quackery, "Lysenko, holding pseudo conferences, an enormous number of" innovative "projects and" inventions ", the scientific component which raises serious doubts from the experts, and, consequently, to ridicule in the international press" .
"At the same time of the recent aggressive pressure on the RAS by a number of politicians, we hear calls for elimination of Sciences committee on the fight against pseudoscience and falsification of scientific research in general. We consider the situation critical "- authors of the letter.
The "Clean Water»
As an example of a project called the Victoria Petrik to water purification from tritium. Method supposedly based "on a magnetic isotope effect", although based on it is impossible to separate the tritium from the hydrogen.
"Disastrous situation was exposed in the past few months - supported scientists at the" invention "Petrick. - As a public organization, the commission of Sciences to combat pseudoscience and falsification of scientific research has been virtually the only structure, opposed the use of unproven scientific and technical developments in a serious state project "Clean Water" and, consequently, against the ill-conceived waste of budgetary funds. We reserve the framework of this letter the effectiveness of the proposed project "Clean Water" technology solutions that caused the conflict, but to draw your attention to the fact that some research shows that some of these technological solutions can be dangerous to the health of citizens. "
The scientists said that in anticipation of the general meeting of Sciences, they approve the activity and the very existence of the commission of Sciences to combat pseudoscience and falsification of scientific research. "We also express our extreme concern about the lack of state barriers to reactionary and scientific falsification, and the fact that the commission of Sciences, is currently virtually the only barrier capable of exercising professional expertise and provide a qualified assessment of any scientific position, allegedly used in the" inventions " and "discoveries", pseudo. However, public commission, consisting of dozens of reputable scientists, unable to cope with the growing stream of dubious inventions and the pressure of charlatans, especially those who have the financial resources and political support ", - stated in the letter.
How to build an innovative economy
Scientists emphasize that "addressing systemic problems that caused this particular situation, it becomes particularly relevant now, when the vast resources of the country will be directed at creating an innovative economy. Effective use of these funds and achieving the desired results depends on the system of state scientific and technical expertise.
"Thus, we believe that in Russia there is an urgent need to create an institutional system of legitimate scientific and technical expertise of national projects and strategic programs related to science and technology or using the latest technology and involving the full or partial public financing" - write researchers.
They also expressed the need for fundamental scope of expertise of Russian projects at the international level. "We believe that Russia in general, or RAS in particular could act as an initiative to create the relevant international expert organizations - centers of international scientific expertise" - is added in the letter.
"So far, the world has accumulated a large experience in conducting independent and objective scientific and technical expertise, and experience in creating barriers charlatans of science. The three necessary (but insufficient) conditions for an independent investigation we highlighted above. Another important feature of such examinations is a mechanism to finance them ", - said at the end of the letter.
One of the internationally accepted mechanisms for financing scientific or technical expertise of the project is paid by the customer (state) in the case of a positive examination and the developer, if the conclusion is negative.
"From our side we are ready to provide all necessary support and adequate help in organizing the establishment of Russian and international centers of scientific expertise and involvement in their independent and highly qualified Russian and foreign scientists" - completed treatment.