Description

A keynote lecture by Francoise Baylis, University Research Professor at Dalhousie University. Introduction by Professor Khaled Salama, co-Chair of WEP 2020. 

EVENT DESCRIPTION

"I believe that science experts have a responsibility to contribute to public policy. One facet of this responsibility includes making scientific information accessible to policymakers, legislators and members of the public." Francoise Baylis 

Building on work of Roger Pielke Jr., on idealized roles for scientists engaged in policymaking, Professor Baylis reviews the various ways in which scientists have and continue to contribute to the debate on the ethics and governance of heritable human genome editing. Some scientists make contributions exclusively in the role of a pure scientist—Francisco Mojica, for example. Others function as science analysts who review available information and provide impartial data for decision-making. Still, other scientists enthusiastically take on the role of issue advocate in advancing specific scientific, economic, political or societal interests. Among the issue, advocates are the social reformers who overtly prioritize societal interests. Lastly, there are the science diplomats—scientists whose work focuses primarily on trying to find a path to consensus. This work may involve clarifying the scientific underpinnings of different policy options, identifying points of common interest and convergence around the science, and, as appropriate, widening or narrowing the range of policy options under consideration in the pursuit of knowledge-based, integrity-preserving compromise.

This lecture will take as its starting point the research of Junjiu Huang, published in April 2015 and the pre-emptive commentaries published just prior to this in the journals Nature and Science.

THE KEYNOTE LECTURE SERIES

The keynote lectures are signature events taking place as part of a series of main lectures aligned with the program’s theme. Since 2010, +150 eminent international guest speakers, Nobel laureates, entrepreneurs, academics and distinguished local and regional leaders and decision-makers have addressed the audience.

Check out this event’s photo gallery!

Watch this Keynotes lecture!

Watch the podcast interview with Francoise Baylis!