And until the inquiry into past governments' handling of information on BSE, chaired by Lord Phillips, reports in the autumn, the Government approach to massaging public opinion on science seems likely to remain ill-defined. But first of all, British scientists can cheer. The hard part, the Government fears, is going to be convincing the public that 'Science is good for you'. We will create a robust and transparent framework to address consumer concerns over safety. When the applications of science are properly regulated and address clear human needs, they win public support.
Science is threaded through every aspect of our lives.
That is why Britain will succeed as a 21st century nation only if it has a confident relationship with science. And that is what this White Paper aims to make possible. People rightly expect proper safeguards against potential public risks and full information on the implications of scientific developments. Proposals in this White Paper will introduce a framework of proper safeguards, information and accountability, providing the public trust which scientific developments must secure in order to benefit society. The only trouble is that on this matter of safeguards, information and accountability the White Paper is not as far-reaching as many would have liked.