Addressing the science and society relationship will give the EU project a soul, says Prodi

Brussels, 09 Dec 2002

Commission President Romano Prodi has referred to the relationship between science and society as an issue which illustrates the EU's political and moral dimension.

Speaking at a conference on politics and morality in Vienna on 7 December, Mr Prodi said that the science-society issue 'will require us to come up with new ideas, new solutions and new rules if we are to fulfil the hopes placed in the European project and ensure that it is also a project with ideas and soul.'

'The relationship between science and society is an example of how we conceive of relations between politics and morality. The moral dimension of the political choices concerning scientific research and its applications has become a topical and controversial area as a result of new scientific breakthroughs over the last 10 years,' said Mr Prodi.

Dialogue between scientists and citizens is fundamental to an open debate on the ethical implications of new technologies for human dignity and future generations in a Europe which 'is the expression of diverse traditions and cultures,' claimed Mr Prodi.

For further information on ethics and science, please visit: http://www.cordis.lu/rtd2002/science-soc iety/ethics.htm

CORDIS RTD-NEWS/© European Communities, 2001