Commission makes scientific advice available to policy makers with new online tool
The European Commission has launched an online tool aimed at making scientific advice more accessible for policy makers, and encouraging scientific debate between different sections of the scientific community. SINAPSE (scientific information for policy support in Europe) will provide an interactive library of scientific opinions and advice, as well as an early-warning system for better detection of potential crises, for example in relation to food safety or animal health. 'I am strongly committed to bringing the best and latest science to the attention of policy makers, at EU and also national level,' said EU Science and Research Commissioner, Janez Potocnik. 'With SINAPSE, I believe we have a strong tool to access [scientific] expertise in real time. If we succeed in doing that, and if scientists and their organisations come to use it as a natural tool, I believe we can bring science and society a bit closer together.' 'I strongly encourage all those who can contribute to the objectives of SINAPSE to sign up immediately, so the system can function fully as soon as possible,' Mr Potocnik added. As the Commission explains, scientific expertise is increasingly becoming a critical element in the design, implementation and assessment of public policies. To ensure that decisions are objective and based on sound scientific evidence, SINAPSE will provide a tool for the Commission to consult the scientific community on issues that could have a major impact across Europe. The initiative has already proved popular, with more than 150 organisations, universities and individuals having signed up to what the Commission refers to as the 'Yellow Pages for scientific advice'. The system will operate by collecting scientific opinions and advice produces around Europe and beyond. Members will indicate their areas of interest, and will receive an automatic alert when a new document in that area is posted. Users are also able to use a search facility in order to find out whether research has already been conducted in a specific area. As well as providing advice, SINAPSE will therefore help to reduce the duplication of research.
