SOSC 111 - Science Technology and Society Today: week 8 Lesson 15 R

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SOSC 111 - Science Technology and SocietyToday
week 8 Lesson 15R D Spending Who Should Pay
for these Innovations? Oct. 21, 1998

• Dr. Vincent G. Duffy - IEEM
• http//www-ieem.ust.hk/dfaculty/duffy/111
• email vduffy_at_ust.hk

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Today

• Questions of the day
• based on reading for today (2 - 1 page readings)
• Alzheimers news clip Pres. Woo news clip

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Q1. Why spend Research Development money?

• What is the value?
• Investment in the future
• future products for consumers
• company profitability economic growth
• improve understanding of science, technology and
  society
• maintain or improve quality of life

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Q2. Should government be involved in making
decisions about RD spending? How can
government make informed decisions about
solving complex problems?

• Some say.Govt simply not capable of choosing
• True?
• Does government know enough to decide spending
  areas?
• On the one hand, it is true, there may be a
  narrow viewpoint represented.
• However, it is true, government is made of a
  cross-section of different knowledge. So maybe
  it is ok for government to participate in such
  decisions.
• What does the Alzheimers article argue?

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Technology Health Alzheimer Gene is Near
Identification-reading1

• What is Alzheimers disease?
• Who will benefit from RD spending?
• business or individuals?
• The controversy commercialization of findings
• should the researchers also be able to benefit
  from the commercialization of the research
• some would argue, no and this could form the
  basis for their argument for hands off

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Q.3 What does this article represent?

• Programs that attempt to pick winners losers
  are corporate welfare
• just support/handout to corporations.
• True?
• reasons for or against a hands off policy?
• Some advocate for Hands off policy
• Alzheimers article suggests...
• Hands off...-no govt intervention in spending
  decisions
• In favor of hands off policy

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What about problems that are not profitable to
study?

• Recall the benefits of science research are
  sometimes long term
• therefore, it may not be profitable for industry
  to study some problems.
• If it is not profitable in short term, industry
  may not pay
• then...
• Will we solve society problems if we ignore?

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Why did Prof. Woo get involved? -reading 2

• UST President comments on technology policy
• discusses opinions on ...
• should we have one?
• who should pay?
• somebody has to talk
• frustrated by the govt hands-off policy

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President Woo argues for...

• Scientists as political advocates. Why?
• Problem benefits of science are uncertain,
  unquantifiable and longterm
• get technology policy closely coupled w/real
  problems
• applied research
• Make elected officials aware of value

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Q.4 Who should pay?

• O.K. Maybe government can help decidebut who
  should pay?
• industry?________
• government?_____
• If only industry pays for RD what is the
  concern?
• Maybe we can let free market decide?
• Why might we care if only industry pays for RD?

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Recall Businesses Governments?
Large Countries (based on Assets/size
of economy) Small Countries (based on
Assets/size of economy)
50 Largest companies How large are they?
And H.K.? Will this influence their
relationships?
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Lets Consider Let industry pay?

• Disposable cloth diapersenvironmentally equal
• Based on water, power chemicals to clean cloth
  diapers
• Arthur D. Little Consultants delivered to
  legislators
• Sponsor Proctor and Gamble, makers of Pampers
• White bread will not make you gain weight
• Cooper Institute for Aerobic Research
• Sponsor Wonder Bread Company
• Chocolate may inhibit cavities
• Princeton Dental Research Center
• Sponsor M M Mars Company
• Bias based on the interests of the sponsor

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In summary The danger of a hands off policy

• Key decisions will be left to board rooms of
  multi- national firms, discussing and deciding
  away from the public
• Q4. Who should pay?
• An independent sponsor
• with potential benefits to all
• where benefit not just to few or just one
  industry
• How to decide?
• informed debate in a public forum
• those familiar with issues should be involved

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Guest speaker Monday For section 3-special
arrangement

• We will have a guest speaker on Monday
• from ICAC, Karen Ho
• the times will be 11am, 12noon, 3pm
• Those in the 5pm section can come to 12 noon
• room 5564 near lift 27-28
• (or other time if you are not available at 12)
• Please advise if you plan to come at 11 or 3pm.