madeline scammell on socially responsible science
May 1st, 2006 by webmasterThis interview by Dawn Terry, Brown ‘03 and Venture Intern appeared in an issue of Venture’s former online newsletter, E-Venture.
Madeline Scammell was featured in the October Utne Reader as one of 30 people under the age of 30 making a difference in the world. Listed as a “Democratic Scientist,” Scammell spent five years at the Loka Institute, a nonprofit centered on the analysis of the impact that science, research and technology have on humans and their environment. She is currently working on a Ph.D. in environmental health studies and helping coordinate a Superfund site cleanup project at Boston University. Because of her experience with socially responsible science as an undergrad and in non-profit and university settings, E-Venture asked Madeline to answer a few questions…
What does socially responsible science mean to you?
“It means, first of all, the opposite of socially irresponsible science, the consequences of which surround us. “Socially responsible science” means that the science, or research, is guided by what is good and ethical. Those are fairly subjective words to describe a process claimed to be objective, but even scientists are motivated by ethics or values that drive research agendas. Sometimes, particularly in these times when pharmaceutical companies and chemical companies have such a tremendous impact on global business and medicine, it is not uncommon for our own goals to become hazy-or worse, to be unexamined. In a world of extreme disparities in health and resources (i.e., food, shelter, water), and political corruption, we can not afford not to scrutinize our scientific agenda. Questions everyone needs to ask include: Who stands to benefit from a particular scientific endeavor? Will it improve our world and serve humanity? Or will it serve only a few, possibly at the cost of many? Will it contribute to more positive outcomes than negative outcomes? It is also important not only to examine the science, but the political context in which the science is conducted and will be received. One last thing, socially responsible science is not just the job of scientists, it is the job of taxpayers and all who stand to benefit or be harmed by science, to make sure science is accountable to the people. ”
What is your personal experience with pursuing science in a responsible way?
“Science is fun, as is discovery. But I always ask myself how whatever I am about to pursue will make a real difference in people’s lives. Sometimes this requires imagining many years in the future, since most progress is slow. But always, I have to ask if what I am doing is really relevant to the majority of the world, not just the world in which I live.”
What was your experience like at Loka? How does it compare with a university setting?
“Loka (a research and advocacy organization concerned with the social, political, and environmental repercussions of research, science and technology) was a very small non- profit organization that accomplished a lot for its size. Nevertheless, we were constantly seeking to legitimize our work with funders, government agencies, community groups, scientists, universities, etc. and we spent a lot of time keeping together in an infrastructure that didn’t exist before we created it. Working from a university, especially Boston University School of Public Health (Dept. of Environmental Health), is unbelievably different. It is like comparing a canoe to a well-ordered, large-scale fishing vessel. There are commonalities like being surrounded by water and having to perform many of the same basic tasks (keeping afloat, steering, etc.), but on the fishing vessel there is a much more clearly delineated set of roles for each crew member, and a supporting infrastructure that usually lasts beyond the life of the crew. In a sense, the university is the fishing vessel, and it’s a business. Doing science at a university doesn’t alleviate scientists of the task of having to keep afloat (i.e., raise funding for research) but it usually does provide an institutional infrastructure that can be extremely supportive, especially if you know what it is like to handle lobster pots from a canoe. Another hugely stabilizing factor is the 30-year reputation in my university department of socially responsible science. Just telling people I am here does much to support my legitimacy of why I am here. However, as I said, being at a university is being part of a business, and there is no way to get around that fact either.”
What role should the study of ethics play in scientific education?
“Presently, the study of ethics is almost entirely absent from scientific education, and it is my opinion that this poses a huge problem to society as a whole. When I was in college my friend Daniel Baker and I used to give talks to graduate students of microbiology. For each talk, we had about 30 minutes to discuss the social, ethical and legal implications of genetic engineering. I used to think, “These people are making this field their profession; how can they not be aware of these issues?” But as it was, many students would tell us afterwards that it had never occurred to them to consider how their work might be used. Many of them had never given any thought to the historical and current controversies regarding genetic engineering and biotechnology. These were very smart people, but their education was dangerously limited in its focus. Historically scientists and physicians have been looked to for answers, not necessarily because they know right from wrong, but because they have information that many people do not. It is starting to become clear that having information doesn’t necessarily mean having the answers. Other powerful interests such as insurance companies, drug companies and research agencies are daily influencing what our scientists and physicians believe and think.
As a result, the courts are being looked to for decision making regarding ethical issues in science. Although you’d hardly know it in this country, the court system is a last resort. It would be cheaper and more efficient, and better serve society as a whole, if ethical and legal considerations of science and technology were factored in at the outset.”
Is it hard for socially conscious scientists to find work? What are someresources that might be helpful?
That depends. There are many opportunities for socially conscious scientists and many such people. But like anything else, when you have a marketable set of skills, many people will find a use for them. The trick is to find a use that satisfies your social and political goals or views, brings you satisfaction, and pays. There are opportunities for this work in just about any sector (i.e., government, non-profit, universities..). In fact, the mission of Land Grant Universities in this country is to serve the community. An organization called the Science and Environmental Health Network has as one of its objectives to guide scientists to what some call “public interest research” and public service. They are also a good resource for graduate students thinking about pursing socially oriented careers in the sciences. Other organizations include Physicians for Social Responsibility , and the Association for Science in the Public Interest.”