Distinguished Ladies and Gentleman, I would like to make a brief statement on Science and Society

-The scientists of the panel on 'using the power of science' are members of the World Institute of Science, of which the center is in Brussels, Belgium, and the Secretariat General at the College de France in Paris.

-This Institute gathers at present one hundred of the best scientists in the world, among them forty Nobel Prize winners, representing all disciplines and five continents. Its main goal is to assume the necessary scientific responsibility.

A. Three question:

1. first question: Is there a crisis of civilization?

In the true meaning of crisis, i.e 'crucial moment in the evolution of the disease' Yes, probably an unprecedented crisis because it is global, major and vital.

2. second question: Why this crisis?

(a) The accelerated explosion of scientific discoveries without sufficient control over their applications. For example, Chernobyl, problems of biotechnology, climate and so on.

(b) The simultaneous explosion of both number of predators and means of predation against environment

The worst was not sure to happen, but it has become possible!

That is the crucial point that changes everything.

The environment, as changed by man, is compelling man to change.

3. Solution of this crisis?

(a) No spontaneous solution is possible.

(b) The first new duty of Science is to inform objectively, and firstly the decisionmakers in Davos

(c) Science can and must contribute to the necessary control of the use of its own discoveries, of the chain of activities by which its fundamental discoveries are transformed, so as to prevent any irresponsible civilian or military misuse. This question is the one of good or bad use of science.

(d) On the other hand, to stop research would be absolutely absurd because only science, source of all material progress, has transformed the human condition, in doubling the length of human life and overcoming famine and disease

(e) But Science could indirectly lead to the best or the worst, according to the good or bad use of its discoveries by applied sciences and technology. Then, science could be source but also remedy of all our disasters. Science must be responsible today or else it would be guilty tomorrow.

Consequently, the conclusions are:

(1) Information

(2) An agreement and collaboration between those who discover -the scientist, and those who apply these discoveries -the business world.

(3) To begin to control the application of science carefully

(4) Education

B. Four Remarks

(1) Science does not know everything!

But, indeed, nobody knows more.

(2) Science will not be able to solve everything

But any global and vital new problem will not be solved without science

(3) With or without fault, the economic world is ecologically questionable

(4) Only the best scientists in the world, those who make discoveries, would be able in their own field of competence, to do an evaluation for environmental risks, and to issue a 'Certificate of Good Economic Use', in order to legitimate economic activity/

C. Conclusion

In this unique platform, the merit of the vision of Klaus Schwab and Claude Smadja is to have clearly perceived that the debate on scientific discoveries and on responsibilities, as scientists as well as businessmen and politicians, is an essential condition for sustainable development.

On this subject, the World Economic Forum and the World Institute of Science plant to continue cooperating in launching an appeal in 1998 on the dawn of the next millennium.

Professor Louis ALBOU,

Biologist,

General Secretary,

World Institute of Science