Presidential Science

The New York Times's Cornelia Dean reports on a new group calling for a Presidential debate on science and technology:

"A group of scientists is making an unusual foray into presidential politics, calling on the candidates, Republican and Democratic, to hold at least one debate focusing on the environment, medicine and health, technology policy and other science-related subjects."

Thought Mike Huckabee's defense of biblical creation against evolution initiated this effort, an absolutely bipartisan collection of individuals is supporting this proposal. As the organizers put it,

"We have noticed that science and technology lie at the center of a very large number of the policy issues facing our nation We believe these scientific and technological policy challenges can bring out the best in the entrepreneurial American spirit. America can be a leader in finding cures for our worst diseases, inventing the best alternative energy sources, and graduating the most scientifically literate children in the world - or we can concede these economic and humanitarian benefits to other countries."and the world - issues that profoundly affect our national and economic security as science and technology continue to transform our lives. No matter one's political stripe, these issues pose important pragmatic policy challenges.

While nearly every interest group would like a debate on its issues, this is one debate proposal that we should all embrace. Proposed topics for the debate are included below. I only wish that access to quality, affordable, health care were included in the list. After all, what good is "finding cures for our worst diseases," if the cures are not widely and easily accessible? Maybe that issue falls under bioethics?

Proposed Debate Topics:

The Environment

• » Climate Change
• » Conservation and Species Loss
• » The Future of The Oceans
• » Fresh Water: Drought, Pollution, Ownership
• » Population Growth and Its Effect on Environment
• » Renewable Energy Research

Health and Medicine

• » Global Diseases and Pandemics
• » Stem Cell Research
• » Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria
• » Drug Patents, Generic Drugs
• » The Genome
• » Bioethics

Science and Technology Policy

• » Scientific Innovation and Economic Growth
• » Improving Science Education
• » Space Exploration
• » Preserving Scientific Integrity in Government
• » Energy Policy