UK House of Commons Committee Rebukes Government's Chief Scientific Adviser for Failure to Adequately Defend Science in Policy-Making. (January 29, 2009)

John Beddington, a population biologist  took over the role of Chief Scientific Advisor to Her Majesty's Government from David King in January last year.

A report published last week by the House of Commons Committee for Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills criticizes Professor Beddington for "defending government policy" when he should "champion evidence-based science within government".

However, Professor Beddington defended himself telling the journal Nature: "I am surprised and disappointed about the committee's comments. I think their comments are unfair and unbalanced."

But in what appears to be a response to the rebuke he said he intends to raise his public profile this year, by instigating a comparison of science-policy advice used by President Barack Obama and by the European Commission. "I am more than happy to challenge the government where it is appropriate," he says, "but I also need to work within government to influence policy."

Nevertheless Phil Willis, chairman of the Commons committee that produced the report, told Nature his group will continue to scrutinize Professor Beddington. "It is very important that he is seen as independent. If the chief scientific adviser is part of the establishment and does not use his position to challenge the government in its use of science, then no one else can do it."

And Nick Dusic, director of the Campaign for Science & Engineering in the UK, told Nature: "there is a general worry" among the science community that Beddington does not have as high a profile as previous science advisers, such as King and Robert May, who held the post from 1995 to 2000. "Challenging the government on its use of science in policy-making is the key job of the chief scientific adviser. He may be doing this inside government, but as outsiders we are not seeing it."

Professor May was circumspect in his comment to the journal: "[Beddington] is a tough character and very good at what he does, but more of a low-key character than I was. As chief scientific adviser you have to operate in the culture of the civil service but must also be and be seen as an independent voice. I have no doubt he is an independent voice — I don't know if he was conveying this."

 When the the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Kim Carr, announced the appointment of Penny Sackett as Australia's Chief Scientist at the end of September 2008, Professor Sackett said: "This role is one of an independent consultant. I'd like to think I'm doing things for Australia. I'll be the Chief Scientist for Australia, not of Australia."

So far Professor Sackett appears to be following the Beddington approach more closely than that of Robert May or David King.  It remains to be seen whether or not that will continue.