As recently mentioned, the firing of Professor David Nutt has brought into focus politics’ deep seated discomfort with scientific evidence. In a world where vague weasel words are part of day-to-day survival, the scientific method’s disregard for political ideology can understandably create no end of problems for politicians with an agenda.

However, the government has at least had the decency to practically admit as much. There are systems in place which attempt to hold the government accountable for the way they use evidence in policy decisions. The Commons Science and Technology Committee (CSTC) “exists to ensure that Government policy and decision-making are based on good scientific and engineering advice and evidence”. The committee recently selected a number of areas for enquiry and asked the relevant government departments to explain the evidence used to justify their policy decisions Continue reading →

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