Uncertainty and naivety in Germany's science politics: The SPD and Green coalition that governs Germany has made notable progress and demonstrated flexibility in the process. But the Greens' lack of expertise needs redressing if good science is to get the support it deserves

Article Abstract:

The German coalition government has agreed on a ban of the reprocessing of nuclear waste, a goal whose attainment has been accelerated by the junior coalition partners, the Green party. The Greens have been willing to compromise to stay in power, but it is uncertain how a compromise will be reached on the sensitive issue of agricultural biotechnology. The Greens want the responsibility for the licensing of field trials of transgenic plants and marketing of transgenic foods to be moved from the Robert Koch Institute which is an office of the federal health ministry, to the federal environment ministry. Plant scientists are concerned that this would mean new restrictions, and that licensing would be placed in inexperienced hands.

Germany, Science and technology policy

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Clams before Columbus?

Article Abstract:

Radiocarbon dating of clams found in Denmark indicates that Mya arenaria was brought to Europe from America before Christopher Columbus' voyage. Accelerator mass spectrometry places the specimens in the 13th century, which would be compatible with their introduction by Viking traders.

History, Environmental aspects, Clams, Animal introduction

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