Most of the 230 participants were members of Sigma Xi, an independent, non-profit research society for scientists and engineers with more than 500 chapters in the U.S. and abroad. They were urged to continue the discussions in their chapters and to act on recommendations developed at the conference. Sigma Xi's annual forums focus on issues at the intersection of science and society, including K-12 science education, ethics and values in research, and global change and the human prospect. The 1995 Forum looked at the changing environment for research in the aftermath of the Cold War. Some of the same issues were discussed from a global perspective at this year's forum.
Innovation is part of the action of every gear pushing economic growth.
Some nations need to build their science bases, others their links between technology and commerce. Smaller or poorer countries wonder how much they can or must do to foster innovation. Sigma Xi President Frederick C. Robbins , who contributed critical research to the development of a polio vaccine, noted that while we have good reason to celebrate science's successes, we have also come to realize that there is a downside to science. The improvements in the quality of life are too great, and the urge of humans to pursue their curiosity and to explore the unknown is something that will find expression one way or another. We have gone too far down the road to turn back.