Why Scientists Must Speak on National Issues — Not Just Science
By Gautam R. Desiraju
(Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru & UPES, Dehradun)
Scientists are often seen as people confined to laboratories — detached from the social and political realities of the world around them. But in truth, scientists are ordinary citizens who vote, pay taxes, and share concerns about the nation’s progress just like anyone else. Their responsibility does not end with teaching or research. It extends to speaking up on issues that affect society — especially when those issues demand rational thought and scientific insight.
Scientists as Citizens, Not Outsiders
Before they are scientists, they are citizens of a country. Like everyone else, they have the right — and indeed the duty — to express views on matters that shape their nation’s future. Under Article 14 of the Constitution, every citizen enjoys equal rights, and that includes scientists.
Yet, there exists a peculiar notion that scientists should “stick to science,” that their comments on national or political matters are somehow misplaced. This misconception not only isolates scientists but also deprives public debate of voices trained in logic, precision, and objectivity.
No one tells economists, sociologists, linguists, or authors to refrain from discussing national issues — even though their work too can be complex or specialized. So why single out scientists?
It’s not the academic community that raises these objections; it’s often the general public, who see science as something distant and exclusive.
Science and Society Are Deeply Interconnected
Many people underestimate how profoundly scientific work shapes everyday life. Over the past century, science has transformed the world — giving us insulin, antibiotics, fertilizers, plastics, silicon chips, and smartphones. Every comfort of modern civilization bears the imprint of scientific inquiry.
But these benefits are not accidental; they result from the same critical thinking, curiosity, and problem-solving that scientists bring to any discussion — even those beyond laboratories.
When scientists speak about national issues, they are not stepping out of their domain. They are using the scientific method of reasoning — one that values evidence, honesty, and clarity — to contribute meaningfully to society’s collective understanding.
Why Scientists Must Engage in Public Issues
Scientists should contribute to national discussions in three distinct contexts:
- Advising policymakers with scientific input
- Educating the public about issues with scientific underpinnings
- Applying scientific reasoning to broader national concerns
Let’s look at each of these more closely.
1. Guiding Policy Through Science
Scientific knowledge can guide better policy. Take, for instance, the confusion surrounding rare earth elements (REEs). Several policy documents and even government statements have wrongly listed lithium, cobalt, and manganese as rare earths.
In reality, “rare earths” refer only to a specific group of 17 elements — each possessing unique properties that make them vital for technologies like renewable energy, semiconductors, and defense systems.
Here, scientists play a crucial role in educating both policymakers and the public — ensuring that technical misunderstandings do not turn into policy missteps.
2. Helping the Public Understand Science
Another area where scientists must engage is public communication of science. Consider Artificial Intelligence (AI) — a field that will soon influence everything from economics to education.
AI systems rely heavily on data. But what happens when that data is biased, skewed, or non-representative? The resulting predictions will also be distorted. This issue becomes particularly concerning when AI is used in the social sciences or geopolitics, where much of the global data originates from Western, especially U.S.-centric, sources.
As a result, AI-generated projections could unintentionally reinforce American or Western biases in global decision-making.
It is therefore the duty of scientists to make policymakers, bureaucrats, and citizens aware of these risks — to ensure that technology is used responsibly and equitably.
3. Applying Scientific Thinking to Non-Scientific Issues
Scientists can also offer fresh perspectives on issues that may not seem scientific at first glance.
For example, consider India’s electoral system, which currently follows the first-past-the-post (FPTP) model — where a candidate wins by securing the highest number of votes, even if it’s not an absolute majority.
Most democracies, however, follow proportional representation, where seats are distributed based on the percentage of votes received. Using probability and statistical reasoning, one can argue that FPTP often results in distorted outcomes, allowing a party with a minority of votes to secure a majority of seats.
A scientist can use these tools to critically evaluate such systems — not out of partisanship, but from a commitment to fairness and evidence-based reasoning.
The Responsibility of Honesty and Objectivity
Scientists are trained to look at problems without prejudice, political bias, or emotion — focusing on facts, logic, and transparency. When they speak about national issues, they bring with them these very qualities that are often missing in public debate.
A scientist’s greatest strength is intellectual honesty — a commitment to truth, wherever it may lead. That honesty is what makes their participation in civic life not only valuable but essential.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
Science does not exist in isolation from society — it serves it. And scientists, as the torchbearers of that service, have every right to voice their perspectives on the direction their nations take.
When scientists speak, they don’t merely contribute opinions; they bring a culture of evidence, rationality, and moral responsibility to the national conversation.
In an age when misinformation and bias threaten rational discourse, the voice of science — clear, objective, and honest — is not just welcome. It is necessary.