Despite being two different fields, there is an emergence of the influence of science on politically centered activities. One such organization steering this course is the Union of Concerned Scientists. It aims to implement rigorous science to build a healthier and safer world. The mission of the company centers on using rigorous, independent science to solve pressing issues such as global warming, food security and many others. The organization does so by combining the efforts of individuals across the country. This is by using technical analysis and advocacy to create practical solutions for a sustainable future, (UCUSA, 2017). The organization traces back to 1969 when a group of students and scientists embarked on advocating for the use of scientific research in solving pressing problems. At the time, most of the scientific research was for military purposes. The change in tide for advocacy enabled the organization to provide a voice in the arena of politics. This paper examines the Union of Concerned Scientists as an organization and discusses if it falls within the spectrum of restrictive or expansive view of public health.
Part of the core operations of the organization involves generation of knowledge in research. One such way is through publications that are available through press releases in the website. One of the recent releases echoed advocacy with the withdrawal of DACA protection. In a statement by Kimmel (2017), who is the president of the organization, he disagrees with the move describing it as a broken promise to young people. The press statement was in reaction to President Donald Trump’s intention to eliminate the Defered Action for Childhood Arrivals Program that protects children immigrants. As Kimmel rightly mentions, agreeing with such a stance affects children brought up and raised in the country. Young people regardless of their varying backgrounds have the ability to contribute to the development of the country. Diversity is an element that strengthens the country, following the wealth of information different individuals provide. Unauthorized immigrants face a unique set of challenges. One such challenge is the threat of deportation, lack of legal work authorization that impairs the ability of immigrants to adapt. When President Barrack Obama first introduced the program, he used procedural discretion to start it. The aim was to relieve children of deportation. In lieu with Kimmel’s statement, deportation of children would be unfair as it deprives the nation an opportunity to reap from the incumbent diversity already present in the country. By lending such a voice to such critical issues, science presents itself as having opinions to political issues. Science having a background in providing objective and factual solutions has the ability to study political aspects in a way that is credible and trusted.
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Science when lending it voice to political avenues, experiences the battle between an expansive and restrictive view of public health. According to Schneider (2009), the expansive view asks people to give up personal liberty for the common good while the restrictive view involves requirements that restrict peoples’ freedom for the purpose of protection of their own health and safety. Such requirements include people wearing seatbelts when driving. The reasons behind the two perspectives being a looming debate, follows the advantages each orientation has to offer. As an organization, the Union of Concerned Scientists takes on an expansive view with the focus being on the common view.
Conclusion
Through the participation of scientific bodies in political issues, such bodies can preserve the objectivity of science. The Union of Concerned Scientists is keen on making an impact on the political front while adhering to their mission, which is to use rigorous research to solve pressing issues in society.
References
The Union of Concerned Scientists,. (2017). About us Retrieved from http://www.ucsusa.org/about/ on 7 Sep 2017.
The Union of Concerned Scientists,. (2017). Withdrawal of DACA Protections an Unacceptable Promise to young people Retrieved from http://www.ucsusa.org/news/press-release/DACA#WbGAL3YjFdh on 7 Sep 2017.
Schneider, Mary Jane. (2011). Introduction to Public Health: Jones and Bartlett Learning.
