AAAS Scientific Responsibility, Human Rights and Law Program

National Conference of Lawyers and Scientists

AAAS Program on Scientific Responsibility, Human Rights and Law
and the
ABA Section of Science & Technology Law

AAAS Members | ABA Members

The National Conference of Lawyers and Scientists (NCLS) was established in 1974 as a joint standing committee of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Section of Science and Technology Law.  The committee has fourteen members, half appointed by AAAS and half appointed by the ABA.

The goals of the NCLS are:

• To promote a better understanding of science among lawyers and judges and of the legal system among scientists;
• To improve communications between lawyers and judges on the one hand and scientists and engineers on the other;
• To monitor and examine emerging public policy issues of concern to both lawyers/judges and scientists/engineers;
• To examine such issues cooperatively and, where appropriate, to recommend policy alternatives to their respective organizations and others relating to such matters;
• To sponsor joint symposia, programs and studies; and
• To identify and collaborate with groups from other nations interested in exploring similar subjects.

In furtherance of these goals, NCLS serves as an advisory body to the AAAS Scientific Responsibility, Human Rights and Law Program.  AAAS and ABA personnel provide staff support to the committee and AAAS staff also serve on the S&T Section Leadership Group.  NCLS is available to advise the AAAS CEO and Board of Directors on science/law issues that come to its attention in order to provide guidance on AAAS policy decisions.  Similarly, the S&T Section can call on NCLS for advice on scientific and public policy issues.

Throughout its history, NCLS has been at the leading edge of exploring issues at the interface of science and law.  Through workshops, symposia, conferences, and studies, NCLS’ efforts have touched on many of the most controversial and complex issues in a rapidly changing legal and scientific environment.  For example, NCLS was among the first to hold multi-disciplinary workshops to discuss scientific misconduct, genetic enhancement, and the ethical, legal, and policy implications of genetic testing.  Beginning in 2006, NCLS has sponsored a series of judicial education seminars on “Emerging Issues in Neuroscience.”  In 2009, the series received a Judicial Education Award from the ABA Judicial Division's National Conference of Specialized Court Judges.  NCLS also participated in drafting amicus briefs for Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals and Daniel J. Bernstein v. U.S. Department of Commerce.

Sponsoring Organizations' Homepages:

• AAAS Scientific Responsibility, Human Rights and Law 
• ABA Section of Science & Technology Law  

AAAS Members: 

Stuart Zola, Co-Chair
Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University

Abigail Baird
Vassar College

Michael Best
The Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, Georgia Institute of Technology

Fred Grinnell
UT Southwestern Medical Center

Richard T. Oehrle
Ernst & Young

Bradley Pollock
University of Texas Health Science Center

Michael Saks
Arizona State University

Staff Officer:  
Mark S. Frankel  
AAAS

Associate Staff Officer:  
Deborah Runkle 
AAAS

 ABA Members: 

Jorge Contreras, Co-Chair
Washington College of Law, American University

Lida Anestidou
The National Academies

Harold L. Burstyn
Attorney & Counselor at Law

Anita Eisenstadt
U.S. Department of State

Ivan K. Fong
3M Company

Russell Moy
Southeastern Universities Research Association

Staff Liaison:  

Caryn Hawk
American Bar Association 

(page updated 03/13/2013)