Citizen Involvement in Science Policy? No Thanks!!!

Response to A Little Respect: Involving Citizens in Technology Assessment

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/intersection/2010/04/29/a-little-respect-involving-citizens-in-technology-assessment/comment-page-1/#comment-58325

Having lay-citizens involved in discussions pertaining to science policy and recommendation at a national level is a very, very bad idea. The normal citizen of the US knows next to nothing about even basic science. To give these people any sort of a say into the the science policy of the country is only going to hasten the downfall of the US's scientific leadership. The reason the OTA worked so well is because it was experts working together to solve problems and guide things without a typically American political bent. If you involve regular citizens there is no possible way to keep the politics out of it, even if you show the lay-people multiple viewpoints they are going to pick the one that mostly resembles their religious or political viewpoints every single time. The people in this country don't even know what a scientific theory is, how can you expect them to make wise non-partisan decision. I do think it would be wise to include scientists from academia and research institutions around the country but please for the love of science keep lay-people out of science policy. Science policy isn't about making a particular group happy it's about making the scientifically advisable choices that will make this country a better place for everyone.