Science, policy, and the transparency of values

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Science Ethics
• Regulatory Policy

Background:

• A dispute arose regarding a European Commission (EC) report on endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
• The debate highlighted challenges in maintaining scientific objectivity when informing policy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose principles for communicating scientific findings to enhance objectivity, public trust, and policy relevance.
• To address conflicts of interest in scientific research communication.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of ethical, conceptual, and empirical studies on scientific objectivity.
• Examination of value judgments in policy-relevant scientific research.

Main Results:

• Scientific reasoning is inevitably influenced by value judgments, especially in policy-relevant research.
• Scientists' financial, social, political, and personal interests can subconsciously influence their work.

Conclusions:

• Excluding values from scientific reasoning is unrealistic when evidence is inconclusive and regulations are at stake.
• Openly acknowledging implicit interests and values can foster better science and public trust, rather than suppressing them.