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In line with its mission of fostering an informed debate on science in society issues, keeping a balanced and independent point of view, Observa does not depend on private or public sponsors. Activities are funded through specific projects, members’ contributions and donations. Member subscription is yearly and open to everybody. Members are entitled to: –…

Evolutionism, between science and religion

The latest report from the Osservatorio Scienza e Società di Observa – Science in Society, in collaboration with Tuttoscienzetecnologia of La Stampa, Superquark and Quark. Between Darwin and creationism, the “intelligent design” position is seen by Italians as a sort of “compromise”. Yet, Italian public opinion appears more ‘evolutionist’ compared to the US. Are we…

Laboratory studies, that is how to understand science in action

Advanced biotechnologies, those that transform the set of chromosomes of an organism by transferring in it genes from another organism, represent an application of genetic engineering that has not been widely legitimised yet. The main reason for this is due to the numerous elements of uncertainty that still characterize genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Thus, scientific…

Women, science and society

The 6th of February in Rome took place the presentation of the National Observatory on Women Health (Osservatorio Nazionale sulla Salute della Donna, O.N.Da.). The project, resulted from the need to increase the attention on female health, has among its aims the study of several issues connected to woman’s health: basic and medical research, resources’…

The Science in Society Facts and Figures 2006 is now published

Which countries do export more high technology? How many are the unemployed in science and technology? Which is the country with the higher level of scientific culture? What should be the research priorities according to citizens? Which is the technology object that Europeans couldn’t do without? The Science in Society Facts and Figures second edition…

Researchers and the Public: What we are really doing

For the sociologist Helga Nowotny, Professor at Zurich University, expert on relations between science and society and President of the European Research Advisory Board (EURAB), scientists should no longer expect unconditional public support or an uncritical acceptance of their authority. She also believes that ‘healthy’ scientific communication must be wary of ‘media excesses’ and not…