SCIENCE

Please don't be frightened by science. Science simply means knowledge - from the Latin, scire, to know.

Think of it as a house. We need to know where it is, how it works, how it stands up, what it can do for us, when to use different bits of it, what to do and what not to do, in it or to it. Science is the foundation under our feet, the roof over our heads - and almost everything in between.

Too often science is perceived to be mysterious, difficult, dangerous even - and people who are called scientists are often treated as if from another planet. But why on earth? It is a measure of the problem we all have with science that so many people are frightened of it.

Science is wonderful - and as far as I am concerned, it is God-given, a glorious part of creation. Mankind alone has the privilege of racing ahead of all the planet's creatures in using science for the greater good - or not. And who decides that?

This is the point at which some people always accuse scientists of 'playing God'. But that's not fair on God. It wasn't God who 'discovered' penicillin - it was a scientist. The same is true of anthrax. To those who believe in God, He is all-knowing and sent Jesus to teach us right and wrong as we discover the secrets of the universe on our never-ending voyage of scientific discovery.

Those who are not religious possess a moral and ethical map rooted in western civilization and expressing timeless values of right and wrong.

Science is knowledge and we live in a science-based world. I believe we should all make much more effort to open our ears and our minds - and reject fear and prejudice.

Recently, in my capacity as Shadow Science Minister, I took part in a seminar at the Royal Institution, with academics and chief executives from British, French and American blue-chip science-based companies. I expected be told we need more science graduates and post-graduates. Wrong! The unanimous conclusion was that what the UK really needs is a massive infusion of science teaching in our schools - from Year 1 upwards.

The British, they said, are still uncomfortable with science because we make so little effort to understand it, compared, for example, to the US. Over there, they claimed, the quality of education may be different, but at least most Americans have a love-affair with science and technology. They don't fence it in. Which is why, they argued, the British are so scared of GM crops, nuclear power, and so on. This is why partisan pressure groups and campaigners so easily manipulate public opinion.

Here in South Wiltshire we have a substantial science community with many people dealing daily with controversial moral and ethical questions as they work at the cutting edge of science. Our two Porton Down establishments are usually stereotyped by the tabloid media as 'the government's top-secret germ-warfare bases'. In reality, much of their work is about finding cures for killer illnesses and using behavioural science to understand Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

So let's listen to the scientists in our midst - and learn from them. I, for one, rejoice in science - and in our human capacity to distinguish between its use and abuse. So, in this case, don't just say 'No' - think about it!.

ROBERT KEY MP