Opinion in 1998

Researchers seeking to build projects that make the best of Europe's potential have no obvious place to turn. A new proposal should be actively encouraged by funding agencies, despite their strong reservations.

A report from the World Bank has highlighted the dangers of a growing knowledge gap between rich and poor nations. The issue needs to be placed at the heart of development aid strategies.

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Economists and ecologists are increasingly working together. Such cooperation is both desirable and necessary.

Academic life scientists are currently well-funded, but they need to develop better advocacy skills in order to exert some influence over issues related to their work.

A change in Germany's government could place some sensitive science issues on centre stage.

For years Italy's research council has suffered from scientific direction tainted by political considerations. Changes now in train carry risks that the next generation of Italian scientists will be similarly betrayed.

Russian science's survival requires the particular attention of the country's new prime minister.

A high-level report on careers in the life sciences raises often-repeated worries about employment practices afflicting graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in the United States. A major rethink is required.

The possibility that bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) may have spread to sheep is causing concern to scientific advisory committees in Europe. More research is urgently required, but so too is more openness.

Belief in pseudo-science is a widespread problem. But some entertainment is misleadingly condemned in that context, promoting the harmful image of the scientist as truth's ultimate custodian.

Tackling misconduct has been undermined by a lack of resolve of scientific advisers.

As hoped, international discussions in Beijing on controversial family planning legislation have been productive. But China's law still gives grounds for worry.

Three developments could help reduce public concern about genetically modified crops: broader criteria to assess their social and environmental impact, an over-arching monitoring body, and greater transparency.

Broad sanctions that could isolate Indian and Pakistani scientists from the West are a counter-productive response to the two nations' unwelcome arrival in the nuclear club. Sanctions should be used with care.

Japan's choice of Akito Arima as its new minister of education is to be welcomed.

The new government of the Netherlands should reverse rather than exacerbate its declining support for basic science — a message reinforced by the OECD.

As the conference season approaches, it is time to reflect on the negative effects of ill-prepared presentations.

The large boost of funds for British science is an essential means to arrest its decline. Attention now needs to focus on ensuring these funds are distributed fairly.

New results on cloning technology increase the urgency for regulations to ensure its responsible use.