Groups Call for Scientists to Engage the Body Politic

I quote from an article by Cornelia Dean in the New York Times of August 8:

When asked to name a scientist, Americans are stumped. In one recent survey, the top choice, at 47 percent, was Einstein, who has been dead since 1955, and the next, at 23 percent, was “I don’t know.” In another survey, only 4 percent of respondents could name a living scientist.

Now several groups are trying to promote more scientific literacy and to encourage scientists and engineers to speak out in public debates and even run for public office. These include:

• A Science Ambassadors Program of the National Academies
• Scientists and Engineers for America
• Ben Franklin's List (started by scientists who are members of the House of Representatives, Dr. Vernon Ehlers and Dr. Bill Foster, "to offer engineers and scientists the credibility and money they need to win office)
• The AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellowships
• The Aldo Leopold Leadership Program
• The CDC Science Ambassador Program