Deaf ears

A quote from the UK edition of New Scientist, 7 January 2006, page 4:

"For the sixth year running, the fisheries ministers of the European Union have ignored warnings from scientists to stop fishing North Sea cod, raising serious questions about how scientific advice is regarded in Brussels."

Questions? What questions?

We know exactly how scientific advice is regarded by politicians. This report serves to underline that knowledge.

Politicians use science, they don't listen to it. If a scientist says something a politician can use to further his or her career, then it will be publicised. If a scientist says something that might lead to a difficult political decision, then it will be ignored.

After all, if there's one thing politicians avoid at all costs, it's decisions.

Under no circumstances does any politician attempt to understand the science behind the information they are given. Their only interest is the political mileage they can get from the words they hear.

Tell them they have to introduce higher taxes to reduce the use of energy. They're your friends for life.

Tell them they'll have to stop burning coal and oil or we're all doomed. Their response is to stick their fingers in their ears and go 'La la la.'

I advise all scientists to be very, very wary when speaking to politicians. They're a devious lot. I wouldn't trust one any further than I could throw a rhinoceros.

Believe me, that's not very far.