A/HRC/26/19 C. Scientific freedom 14. Presentations by Margaret Vitullo (American Sociological Association) and Irene Villasenor (University of the Philippines) opened the panel discussion on scientific freedom, which was moderated by Jessica Wyndham. 15. Ms. Vitullo stated that scientific freedom included freedom of association, inquiry, opinion and expression. Access was an important component of scientific freedom, encompassing access to the applications of science, to scientific knowledge and information, scientific literature, data, materials, samples and subjects. She referred to the synergetic relationship between the two concepts, noting that scientific freedom both depended on and provided support to access, and that limiting access to data, for example, was a major threat to scientific integrity. She cautioned that scientific freedom was, however, not absolute and must be enjoyed responsibly. Ms. Vitullo noted that the involvement of scientists in the discussion of the meaning of article 15 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights was crucial and that freedom of expression, freedom of association and freedom to travel were all key concerns for scientists. Furthermore, rights holders must view scientific information and enquiry as a right and not one exclusively for the enjoyment of scientists. 16. In her presentation, Ms. Villasenor focused on the responsibilities of scientists, drawing on a number of “soft” law instruments, such as the Recommendation on the Status of Scientific Researchers adopted by UNESCO in November 1974, and referred to the commitments made by member States following the 1999 World Conference on Science.3 An important outcome of the conference was the Declaration on Science and the Use of Scientific Knowledge, which stated that “all scientists should commit themselves to high ethical standards, and a code of ethics based on relevant norms enshrined in international human rights instruments should be established for scientific professions” and referred to the social responsibility of scientists to maintain high standards of scientific integrity and quality control, to share their knowledge and to communicate with the public.4 UNESCO member States had recognized that political authorities should respect that role and that the building of scientific capacity “should be supported by regional and international cooperation, to ensure both equitable development and the spread and utilization of human creativity without discrimination of any kind against countries, groups or individuals”.5 17. During the ensuing discussion, one participant noted that scientific information was often disseminated through privately-owned press organizations and enquired whether they should assume a leading role in that respect. One delegation raised the question as to whether the mainstream media had a duty to responsibly disseminate scientific information, while another participant raised the issue of whether scientists had an obligation to convey information in an easily comprehensible form. Ms. Vitullo responded that access to information should be available on as broad a basis as possible, that the information should be of good quality and that governments had a role to play in that area. Furthermore, governments as well as the mass media had a duty to disseminate information responsibly, and scientists should be involved in advocacy, including in the dissemination of highquality scientific information. 3 4 5 6 UNESCO, Science Agenda-Framework for Action, adopted by the World Conference on Science, Budapest, 1 July 1999. UNESCO, Declaration on Science and the Use of Scientific Knowledge, adopted by the World Conference on Science, Budapest, 1 July 1999, para. 41. Ibid., para. 35.