Science and technology can greatly improve not only standards or living but methods of conservation and environmental sustainability. But sometimes ethics and social obligations can be put aside in the drive for progress and profit.
New products should assist thebattle against climate change and efforts for global justice - yetresearch is usually stimulated in other areas, which are not sopressing and urgent. Improvements are often too expensive,with only a few experiencing the benefits. 'Advances' in transport andmeans of production can aggravate existing problems.
Our Aims
The Green Party would pursue ethical scientific research into a sustainable future.The research, development and application of science would beparticularly encouraged in searching for alternative energy sources andensuring conservation.
The Green Party would:
- Make any research accountable to to broadly based "Ethical Boards".
- Increase and focus funding into recycling, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, organic food and protection of ecosystems.
- Introduce a mandatory pledge for scientists to respect the Earth and all its life.
- Teach a socially and environmentally responsible attitude to science, integrate science teaching with everyday life and end a perceived division between sciences and the arts.
- Encourage greater participation of women in science by ending domination of scientific bodies by male hierarchies.
- Set-up commissions to assess the environmental damage caused by new technology and its sustainability.
- Oppose the EU proposal to extend patents to living matter.
- Seek a moratorium on the release of genetically engineered organisms into the environment.
Addressing Your Concerns
- Why are you opposed to unmonitored scientific progress?
Science should, and often does, enrich everyone's lives, but sometimes this can come at a price.Research and development should not focus solely on making thingseasier for a select few who can afford the latest gadgets - scientistsmust have a social and moral obligation to make sustainable newtechnologies that can be made available to all.
- Surely we can't move forward unless scientists are given the freedom to research in any way they please?
Those involved in research should not be given impunity.Scientists must be accountable for their actions in a democraticsociety. Progress should not come at the expense of animals, forinstance - animal testing is cruel and often counter-productive.
- Aren't GMOs the answer to so many of our problems?
The complete effects of GMOs are unknown. However, it is clear that they reduce biodiversitywhen allowed to impinge on fragile ecosystems - as they have alreadydone in tests. Such tests should not be allowed until the effects arefully known. There should be greater public debate on the issue. Evenwhen the effects are known, however, the Green Party will stillencourage local, organic food production, rather than the arrogant 'playing god' mentality of genetic research. Our problems are bettersolved through global cooperation and local solutions.
Learn More
More Information:
Science and Technology in the Manifesto for a Sustainable Society
Related Sections in the Manifesto for a Sustainable Society:
Agriculture
Climate Change
Education
Energy
Food
Industry
Natural Resources
Pollution
Transport
