Policy
Our Ethics Must Catch Up with Our Increasingly Powerful Technology
Humanity is like a teenager trying to control a 500-horsepower Ferrari
Policy16713 articles archived since 1845
And Now the Really Big Coal Plants Begin to Close
Old, small plants were the early retirees, but several of the biggest U.S. coal burners—and CO2 emitters—will be shuttered by year’s end
Scientists Seek Better Guidelines for Editing Genes in Human Embryos
In the first of two meetings, an international commission discussed the criteria required before such experiments should be conducted—if ever
Companies May Limit Lifesaving Climate Data to Clients That Can Pay
Multibillion-dollar “climate services” firms are trying to cash in on the financial fear and insecurity prompted by changing weather
Policy
Does Psychology Have a Conflict-of-Interest Problem?
Some star psychologists don’t disclose in research papers the large sums they earn for talking about their work. Is that a concern?
Whistle-Blower Complaint Highlights CDC Turmoil on Climate
The filing will raise concerns that the agency is shifting climate funds to other programs
Policy
A Scientist Must Go where the Evidence Leads
When our cherished ideas are contradicted by the facts, we must avoid the human tendency to double down on those ideas
Despite Controversy, Human Studies of CRISPR Move Forward in the U.S.
The technology that produced a global scandal in China last year has entered into clinical trials to treat sickle cell anemia and an eye disease
Southern U.S. Lags North on Disaster Resilience
Though one of the least resilient counties is New York County, or Manhattan
Policy
We Should All Be Science Critics
A Harvard scholar says viewing science and technology with a critical eye can make the world a better place...
Policy
Introducing Registered Reports, a New Way to Make Science Robust
To encourage the replication of findings, we should ask researchers to describe their methods before they conduct experiments
Climate Change Exacerbates the Affordable Housing Shortage
Disabled people and minority communities are disproportionately affected and have the fewest resources to recover from disasters
Brazil’s Sacked Space Director Speaks Out on Attacks on Science
Ricardo Galvão discusses his dismissal after Amazon deforestation data rankled President Bolsonaro
Policy
How a Data Detective Exposed Suspicious Medical Trials
Anaesthetist John Carlisle has spotted problems in hundreds of research papers—and spurred a leading medical journal to change its practice
Women Still Face Retaliation for Reporting Sexual Harassment at Work
People are less likely to recommend a woman for promotion if she has self-reported being sexually harassed, a study finds
Policy
RFK’s Secret Role in the Cuban Missile Crisis
Recently declassified information shows the critical part JFK’s younger brother played in resolving the Cold War’s most dangerous moment
Environmental Activists Have Higher Death Rates Than Some Soldiers
Killings of those protecting nature are highest in countries with corruption and weak rule of law
Policy
Government Scientists Are Censoring Themselves
It may not make headlines, but there’s a lot of evidence that it’s happening in the chilling environment the Trump administration has created
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Policy
Populist President Sparks Unprecedented Crisis for Brazilian Science
Tensions are rising as Jair Bolsonaro’s administration questions the work of government scientists and institutes debilitating cuts to research funding
