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Model-based predictions of energy demand and supply are unreliable, since the behaviour of individual producers and consumers cannot be guaranteed. Alvin M. Weinberg (right) of the Institute for Energy Analysis at the Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Tennessee, argues that technical fixes involving increased supply offer the most reliable way of averting an energy crisis
Although scientists in China are being forced into a new role by rapid changes in Chinese life and closer contacts with the West, they are still guided by Marxist philosophy and the principle of social relevance. In the first of three articles on developments in Chinese science policy over the past year, Tong B. Tang, describes the organisation of research. In future articles, he will discuss higher education and the popularisation of science.
François Jacob wants industry's money for fundamental biology — but not its control. A Nobel laureate for his work on the lac operon (he shared the prize with Jaques Monod), he is head of the cellular genetics unit in the department of molecular biology, Institut Pasteur in Paris. He spoke with Robert Walgate
The brain drain of scientists from the poorer countries of the Middle East has switched from the industrialised West to the oil-rich countries of the region. And some countries are running successful schemes to attract expatriate scientists back. Ziauddin Sardar reports
Many problems faced by scientists in the Arab world are common to all Third World countries. Dr A B Zahlan takes the Arab case to test some general assumptions about the problems of science and technology in developing countries
As Secretary of State for Education and Science in the last Labour Government, Mrs Shirley Williams (below) took an above average interest in the health of the scientific community. David Dickson talked recently to her at Harvard University, where she has just been a visiting fellow
Britain has decided to renew its independent nuclear deterrent, probably by buying the submarine-launched Trident C-4 missile from the United States. Judith Reppy, Visiting Fellow at the Science Policy Research Unit at the University of Sussex, argues that this would be a questionable decision on economic grounds
