[SGRupdate] Expanding military influence over science and technology is marginalising social and environmental programmes

[Scientists for Global Responsibility]

Expanding military influence over science and technology is marginalising
social and environmental programmes, says science group

SGR Press Release
Tuesday 21 August 2007

Flawed government thinking is driving a rapid expansion in the military
influence over science and technology, says a new briefing from Scientists
for Global Responsibility (SGR). US government spending on military
research and development (R&D) is soaring (up 57% since 2001), while the UK
government has rolled out two new military technology strategies in the
last two years. Factors such as these are contributing to an expansion of
military involvement in UK universities.

SGR's briefing argues that government policies, which emphasise the
application of military technology in dealing with complex international
crises, are driving the continued expansion of military R&D in the USA, UK
and elsewhere, despite major shortcomings being apparent - not least in
current conflicts such as the Iraq war.

The briefing documents how government funding for military R&D dwarfs that
spent on social and environmental programmes across the industrialised
world. For example, in 2004, governments in industrialised countries spent
a total of $85 billion on military R&D, but only $50 billion on R&D for
health and environmental protection, and less than $1 billion on R&D for
renewable energy technologies essential for tackling climate change. A
similar imbalance can be seen in UK spending.

Dr Chris Langley, lead author of the briefing, said: "This briefing updates
our earlier research which highlighted the way that the UK military sector
- including government departments and major corporations - has
disproportionate influence over science and technology. That this military
influence is being extended is all the more disturbing in the light of
ongoing corruption investigations into top UK arms corporation, BAE
Systems."

Dr Stuart Parkinson, Director of SGR and co-author of the briefing, said:
"Gordon Brown, in his recent speech at the UN, said that we should put
science and technology at the heart of efforts to tackle social and
environmental problems. Yet, it is clear that current UK science policy
allows the military far too much influence in the sector, undermining that
aspiration. We urge Mr Brown to put his money where his mouth is and force
a shift in current R&D spending to prioritise social and environmental
concerns."

Dr Philip Webber, Chair of SGR and co-author of the briefing, said "In
David Milliband's first speech as Foreign Secretary he talked about the
need for changes in the way that the UK engages in the international arena.
But can the government really be serious about changing its approach to
foreign policy while pursuing major new military technology projects, such
as replacing its nuclear weapons system and building new aircraft carriers,
at a time when science and technology skills are so urgently needed in
areas such as renewable energy?"


Contact: Dr Stuart Parkinson, Tel: 07941 953640; Email: stuartp at sgr.org.uk


Notes

1. SGR is an independent UK organisation of approximately 900 members
across the natural and social sciences, engineering, IT, architecture and
design. Its main aim is to promote ethical science, design and technology -
based on the principles of openness, accountability, peace, social justice,
and environmental sustainability. For more information, see
http://www.sgr.org.uk/

2. SGR's new briefing is entitled "More Soldiers in the Laboratory: the
militarisation of science and technology - an update" and can be downloaded
from http://www.sgr.org.uk/ArmsControl/MilitaryInfluence.html

It was written by Chris Langley, Stuart Parkinson and Philip Webber and
updates the information and arguments provided in the critically acclaimed
SGR report "Soldiers in the Laboratory", published in January 2005, also
available on the SGR website. Printed copies can be obtained from the SGR
Office - see http://www.sgr.org.uk/publications.html

3. The text of Gordon Brown's speech at the UN on 31 July 2007 is available
at: http://www.number10.gov.uk/output/Page12755.asp

4. The text of David Milliband's speech "New Diplomacy: challenges for
foreign policy",  given on 19 July 2007 at Chatham House, is available at:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c
=Page&cid=1007029391629&a=KArticle&aid=1184751108322