21 Principles for Science: A Declaration of

Interdependence for the 21st Century

Signed at Ottawa, 15 April 1999, by participants in the

Graduate Seminar 'Science, Technology and International
Affairs', Norman Paterson School of International Affairs,
Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada, as our contribution to
the discussion leading up to the World Conference on
Science, Budapest, Hungary, June 26 - July 1, 1999:

1. There exists a freedom of scientific research. This

freedom, which applies equally to the physical, natural
and social sciences, must be respected. It includes the
right to freely investigate, to communicate with one's
peers, to publish research results, and to attend
conferences both at home and abroad.
2. The freedom of scientific research is neither absolute
nor unfettered. Scientists must, for instance, where
appropriate, acknowledge the contribution of others to
their work. They must also cite their sources, refrain
from plagiarism and avoid falsification of data and
results. Similarly, they must refrain from
experimenting on anyone without their knowledge and
consent. These are universal principles.
3. Scientific research should be conducted exclusively
for peaceful purposes.
4. Contrary to the current trend towards
commercialisation of research, scientific knowledge
should be disseminated freely and openly. Developing
countries, in particular, require affordable and ready
access to research results if they are to prosper in the
next millennium.
5. As part of their social contract, scientists should work
for the betterment of society. They should strive to
unravel the great challenges facing the world,
including sickness and disease, loss of biodiversity,
general environmental degradation, global warming,
inequitable distribution of income and resources, and
underdevelopment. Sustainable development is the
 ultimate goal.
6. The public has a right to be involved in every stage of
the scientific process, from the conception of a project
to its ultimate completion. Scientists have a duty to
provide this opportunity to the community.
7. Every woman, man and child on the planet has a right
to scientific knowledge, including a basic scientific
education.
8. Scientists should take a version of the Hippocratic
oath: do no harm; always act in the interests of
humanity.
9. Women need to play a greater role in 'mainstream'
international science. Their considerable contribution
in the area of 'informal' knowledge systems also
deserves greater recognition. Pay equity must be
respected.
10. Each country should make scientific research a
priority on the national agenda. Aid budgets need to be
reinforced so as to enhance scientific capacity in
developing countries.
11. The province of science includes not just the modern
western concept of science, but also traditional,
community-based and indigenous knowledge systems.
Intellectual property rights need to be extended to
these sui generis areas.
12. There must be a better, long-term commitment to
basic science in all countries. Alternative treatments
are also worthy of research support.
13. Institutions dedicated to multilateral scientific
collaboration, including south-south cooperation, must
be reinforced.
14. Developing countries should pool their science
resources on a regional basis.
15. Everywhere, scientific research partnerships between
government, industry and universities need to be
cultivated and nurtured so that innovation is fostered.
16. More networks of centres of excellence should be
established, linking research institutes in developed
and developing countries.
17. The information and communications technology
revolution holds tremendous promise for third world
science. Strenuous efforts must be made to ensure that
developing countries fully benefit from this
transformation.
18. An international mechanism needs to be established to
better coordinate megascience and other large-scale
 international scientific projects, so that waste,
duplication and overlap are avoided. Long-term
funding for such projects must be assured.
19. A global ethical commission should be established to
draft a code of conduct for scientists, and to monitor
compliance with it. 'Bioprospecting' and animal testing
should be high on the commission's agenda.
20. Multilateral agreements are urgently needed in the
following areas: genetically-modified organisms
(GMOs); human cloning; and ownership of the human
genome.
21. Global educational programs regarding GMOs, human
cloning and the search for the human genome need to
be developed so that an informed public, and not just
experts and interest groups, can contribute to the
informed debate on these topics.

Professor Gerald Graham, Sessional Lecturer

Gini Arnold, MA Candidate, NPSIA
Dawn Daniels, MA Candidate, NPSIA
Antonio Garcia, MA Candidate, NPSIA
Emmanuelle Lamoureux, MA Candidate, NPSIA
Heather MacKinnon, MA Candidate, NPSIA
Stephan Paape, MA Candidate, NPSIA
Natasha Parriag, MA Candidate, NPSIA
Joanne Rampton, MA Candidate, NPSIA
Liam Swiss, MA Candidate, NPSIA

Nature © Macmillan Publishers Ltd 1999 Registered No. 785998 England.