51动漫

Science: Can we trust the experts? by the Institute of Ideas, Hodder and Stoughton, 拢5.99, ISBN 0340848367 Reviewed by Roy Herbert

THE credibility of experts has been weakened in so many ways that public opinion now seems to be a mixture of cynicism compounded by fear. Is global warming a fact or not? What really are the risks of the MMR vaccine? Is the tag 鈥淔rankenstein foods鈥� coined by the press, which led to the withdrawal of genetically modified products from supermarkets, sensible or stupid? There are experts in every camp, and it鈥檚 hard to know who to believe.

Science: Can we trust the experts? is the latest in a series of short books published under the title 鈥淒ebating Matters鈥�. The idea is for each to tackle an issue of public concern in more detail than the press or radio and television can manage. The series format is of four essays, each offering a different point of view, and a commentary on what they reveal.

Judging by those in this book, the authors of the essays use their space vigorously, even pugnaciously, so the rest of the series should also boast real debate and readability. Questions about global warming and MMR vaccinations obviously do concern the public, they involve governments and their scientific advisers too, who must provide general advice that can be believed. There are suggestions here about new forms of expertise, but the book鈥檚 aim is solely to encourage debate. We can, of course, debate its prospects of success too 鈥�