Scientific Enterprise At Critical Juncture, Say Panelists, Researchers

MISCONDUCT POLICY: University of Illinois' C.K. Gunsalus cites problems of oversight in academia. Is science in crisis? Scientists, historians, administrators, and others have debated this issue over the last few decades. The controversial topic was the impetus for a September 19 conference at George Washington University (GWU). Panelists at the day-long symposium, titled "Science in Crisis at the Millennium," think something has gone awry. Keith Yamamoto, University of California, San Franc

Written bySteven Benowitz

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MISCONDUCT POLICY: University of Illinois' C.K. Gunsalus cites problems of oversight in academia.

Is science in crisis? Scientists, historians, administrators, and others have debated this issue over the last few decades. The controversial topic was the impetus for a September 19 conference at George Washington University (GWU). Panelists at the day-long symposium, titled "Science in Crisis at the Millennium," think something has gone awry.

Keith Yamamoto, University of California, San Francisco: "If we have a crisis, it's that the public at large really isn't educated about science." Conferees examined, among other things, purported crises in quality, knowledge, human genetics, peer review, misconduct, and morale. In addition, speakers at the meeting noted that funding simply isn't what it used to be. Funding agencies are being asked to do more with less. Competition for dwindling resources is fierce; though more research grants than ever are being awarded, they are harder to come ...

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