Policy & Ethics
Those Who Investigate Premature Deaths Should Have Medical Training
Coroners are not typically required to have medical expertise—and that’s a problem
Policy & Ethics16523 articles archived since 1845
Policy & Ethics
Biden’s Climate Bet Rests on Enacting a Clean Electricity Standard
It is uncertain if a highly divided Congress will pass such a mandate
Policy & Ethics
In Case You Missed It
Top news from around the world
Policy & Ethics
In Shocking Move, U.S. Backs Waiving Patents on COVID Vaccines
The development from the Biden administration draws cheers from public health researchers and ire from drugmakers
Policy & Ethics
COVID’s Outsize Impact on Asian Americans Is Being Ignored
Along with Pacific Islanders, they suffer from disproportionately high death rates and hospitalizations and low testing—but their suffering remains invisible
Climate
Meet Biden’s Climate Voice on Capitol Hill
Louisa Terrell has the tough job of moving Biden’s infrastructure package through Congress
Public Health
Few Would Fear COVID Vaccines if Policy Makers Explained Their Risks Better
Clear messaging and transparency are vital, say some experts on risk assessment and decision-making
Policy & Ethics
Senate Confirms Bill Nelson as NASA’s New Leader
The former Senator will be the space agency’s 14th administrator
Climate
Biden Tells Congress Climate Action and Job Creation Are the Same
“If we act to save the planet, we can create millions of jobs,” he says
Policy & Ethics
The Fading Dream of the Computer Brain
Beware the hype about remaking neuroscience through technology, writes the director of the new documentary In Silico
Policy & Ethics
Biden Has Reversed Trump’s War on Science in His First 100 Days
His administration has made great strides in repairing the damage—but there’s plenty left to do
Policy & Ethics
Our Health System Is Failing Patients with Limited English
Better communication could help reduce inequities, but our medical infrastructure isn’t designed to take that into account
Policy & Ethics
Readers Respond to the December 2020 Issue
Letters to the editor from the December 2020 issue of Scientific American
Climate
U.S. Commits to Greater CO2 Reductions, China and India Do Not
At climate summit, Japan, Canada and the E.U. also announce ambitious targets, while Russia and Australia resist
Policy & Ethics
Biden Promises to Slash Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 50 Percent by 2030
The goal sets a high bar for other countries attending today’s global climate summit
Policy & Ethics
Science Policy Can’t Be Simply about Science
As early-career researchers, we argue that it also has to prioritize justice and social equity
EARTH
A Healthy Environment as a Human Right
U.N. recognition would strengthen legal arguments for preserving nature
Climate
Biden’s Climate Summit Will Be an International Chess Match
Leading experts assess what they see as the likely moves
Policy & Ethics
Three Ways to Fix Toxic Policing
Accountability, demilitarization and the transfer of responsibilities to social workers are needed to remake our overly antagonistic law-enforcement agencies
Climate
Kamala Harris Lays Out Economic Priorities, Skips Climate Change
Climate remains in the background during talks about the Biden administration’s infrastructure plan
