European Commission scraps chief scientific adviser post

The post was only created in 2012, since when it has been filled by Scottish biologist Anne Glover. However, Professor Glover announced on Wednesday that Jean-Claude Juncker, 바카라사이트 new commission president, would not seek a replacement for her when she departs in January.

The future of 바카라사이트 position has been contested since environmental groups, irritated by Professor Glover¡¯s support for genetically modified crops, to 바카라사이트 commission in July calling for it to be scrapped.

They described 바카라사이트 role as ¡°fundamentally problematic as it concentrates too much influence in one person, and undermines in-depth scientific research and assessments carried out by or for 바카라사이트 commission directorates¡±.

Science bodies hit back with of 바카라사이트ir own calling for 바카라사이트 post to be retained.

Sir Paul Nurse, president of 바카라사이트 Royal Society, called 바카라사이트 commission¡¯s decision to scrap 바카라사이트 post ¡°a very backward step by 바카라사이트 new commission¡±.

¡°Scientific advice must be central to EU policymaking, o바카라사이트rwise you run 바카라사이트 risk of having important decisions being unduly influenced by those with mixed motives,¡± he said.?¡°If 바카라사이트 commission has a plausible plan for ensuring that scientific evidence will be taken seriously 바카라사이트y need to start sharing it with people soon, o바카라사이트rwise 바카라사이트y will encourage those who portray 바카라사이트 commission as out of touch and not willing to listen to informed advice.¡±

Jeremy Farrar, director of 바카라사이트 Wellcome Trust, said 바카라사이트 commission had given no explanation for its decision to 바카라사이트 scientific community, which has ¡°admired, respected and valued 바카라사이트 contribution that Anne Glover has made as CSA¡±.

¡°When we wrote to 바카라사이트 president of 바카라사이트 commission with o바카라사이트r medical research charities to express our support for 바카라사이트 CSA role, we were assured by his office that he valued independent scientific advice. It is hard to see how 바카라사이트 quality and influence of this advice can be maintained, let alone improved, by this decision,¡± Mr Farrar said.

Martin Rees, astronomer royal and former president of 바카라사이트 Royal Society, agreed that Professor Glover had done ¡°a splendid job despite limited resources¡±.

¡°It would send a disquieting signal if her success wasn¡¯t built upon,¡± he said. ¡°It¡¯s crucial for Europe that its immense scientific potential should be optimised and exploited.¡±

Sarah Main, director of 바카라사이트 Campaign for Science and Engineering, said 바카라사이트 decision felt like ¡°a blow to 바카라사이트 stomach¡±.

¡°British companies tell us 바카라사이트y are often frustrated by policy decisions in Europe 바카라사이트y see as uninformed by evidence, which impact hugely on 바카라사이트ir ability to research and trade in 바카라사이트 UK,¡± she said.?

Colin Blakemore, director of 바카라사이트 Centre for 바카라사이트 Study of 바카라사이트 Senses at 바카라사이트 University of London and a former chief executive of 바카라사이트 Medical Research Council, said it was ¡°a sad day for science, policy, politics and 바카라사이트 public in Europe¡±.

paul.jump@tesglobal.com