Health warning on science policy formulae

Scientists must get more involved in issues of science policy if the health of European science is to be safeguarded, says Sir Dai Rees, president of the European Science Foundation. In his president's commentary, the former head of the Medical Research Council warns that science policy is being overwhelmed by fashionable management formulae such as "performance indicators" and "technology foresight". "The harassment of some research councils in this way seems so severe that their attention could be drawn inwards, and away from international collaboration for better science."