The choices will depend on the literacy of populations. 21 st century genetics and neurosciences offer unimaginable opportunities for human health, freedom from disease, greater longevity and even improvements in human attributes, but these raise awesome issues of public policy which require understanding on the part of a technologically and scientifically literate citizenry. Since the development of knowledge creates these many choices, it is the obligation of the scientific and technologic community to accept a major responsibility for the advancement of science education. We call upon the WCS to accept the moral obligation to fully participate in radical improvement of science education at all levels for all students. Scientists must contribute some of their time to collaborate with educators.
Exemplary programs are available on the internet.
Developing nations are most in need of this assistance. Collaborate with educators to critically examine the science, mathematics and technology curricula of pre-college schools and the science education of students of liberal arts, business, law, journalists, etc. Join with colleagues to give popular lectures, write for newspapers and magazines, use TV and radio and especially the internet to educate the population in the importance, the excitement and the societal implications of science and technology. Nigeria It is now a truism that the world has approximated to what scientifically literate people call a global village. In discussing the theme, Science Education for Development in this World Conference on Science, that notion of globalization must be brought to the fore.