AAAS Scientific Responsibility, Human Rights and Law Program

The War on Terrorism: What Does it Mean for Science?
A Symposium

Tuesday, December 18, 2001
American Association for the Advancement of Science
Washington, DC

Summary Report | Agenda | Speaker Biographies

In the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, the already complex balance between national security and scientific freedom and human rights has become even more complicated. At the same time, scientists and engineers have begun to reassess their professional and social responsibilities in light of the changed situation.

Research priorities are certain to be affected by the focus on fighting terrorism. The priority of military R&D will increase, as will R&D on bio-terrorism, blast protection, information security, and other relevant fields. The Bush Administration and Congress are also considering significant new national security measures aimed at protecting U.S. citizens and vital national interests. While many of these measures are surely necessary, it is essential that the scientific community be engaged in evaluating them and their impacts on the environment for research, as well as carefully considering their own professional and personal roles in this very dynamic and highly charged political environment. This one-day symposium, held in Washington DC on December 18, examined issues of scientists' responsibilities, as well as scientific freedom and human rights in post-September 11 America.

This seminar was an activity of the AAAS Project on Scientific Freedom and National Security and was cosponsored by the AAAS Committee on Scientific Freedom and Responsibility. The project and the event are funded by the Open Society Institute.