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The pro-GM lobby group {{lmgroup}}'''Sense about Science''' describes itself as is a "charitable trust, founded in 2002, to promote an evidence-based approach to scientific issues in the public domain. The trust works with organisations, experts and opinion formers to encourage this approach, particularly in areas of controversy". ==Activities== It trust describes its objectives as follows [http://www.senseaboutscience.org.uk/AboutUs.htm]: #To advance the education of the public in any branch of scientific research (including social science) and to disseminate useful information about such research. #To promote (for the benefit of the community) the understanding of, and to stimulate interest in, the creation, presentation and use of scientific research. It has a very close relationship with the [[Royal Society]]. For example, it has set up a [[Working party on peer review]] which meets at the RS, and is chaired by a member of the RS. The working party also includes members of the [[Institute of Ideas]]. [http://www.prwatch.org/prwissues/2003Q1/gm.html] In October 2003, a series of largely unfavorable GM articles in the media followed the results of Farm Scale Evaluations of three GM crops. The group co-ordinated a letter to the ''Times'' written by [[Derek Burke]] of its Advisory Council and signed by 113 other scientists, complaining that the government had failed to make the case for genetic engineering [http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/news/story/0,9830,1075117,00.html] [http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/news/story/0,9830,1075102,00.html]. Tony Blair subsequently told the Commons that he had not ruled out the commercialisation of GM crops in Britain. The group has also planted a variety of pro-GM stories in the media, including the [[Broom's Barn]] trials. It shares the same postal address as [[Global Futures]], and is related through this organisation and common personnel, to the libertarian [[Institute of Ideas]] and the [[LM group]]. The domain name senseaboutscience.org.uk was registered by [[Rob Lyons]], the web master of right wing e-zine [[Spiked Online]].

==PersonnelActivities== *Director The trust describes its objectives as follows [[Tracey Brown]http://www.senseaboutscience.org.uk/AboutUs.htm] :*Assistant [[Ellen Raphael]] Both are former employees #To advance the education of the public in any branch of [[Regester Larkin]], a [[Risk management]] PR companyscientific research (including social science) and to disseminate useful information about such research. ==Constitution== ===Charity Commission registration=== Sense about Science was registered as charity number 1101114 with #To promote (for the benefit of the community) the understanding of, and to stimulate interest in, the Charity Commission for England creation, presentation and Wales on 9 December 2003use of scientific research. The legal objects, which describe what the charity  It has been set up to achieve, are registered a very close relationship with the Commission as follows: :<em>1: To advice [[Royal Society]]. For example, it has set up a [[Working party on peer review]] which meets at the education RS, and is chaired by a member of the public in any branch RS. The working party also includes members of scientific research (including social science) and in particular by the dissemination [[Institute of such research and useful information about such researchIdeas]]. 2[https: To promote (for the benefit //www.prwatch.org/prwissues/2003Q1/gm.html] In October 2003, a series of largely unfavorable GM articles in the community) media followed the knowledge and understanding results of the public Farm Scale Evaluations of, and three GM crops. The group co-ordinated a letter to stimulate the interest ''Times'' written by [[Derek Burke]] of the public inits Advisory Council and signed by 113 other scientists, complaining that the creation, presentation and use government had had remained silent instead of scientific researchmaking the case for genetic engineering.</em> [http://www.charity-commission"Genetic engineering of plants has been reduced to a matter of consumer preference; the public has been misinformed; and the efforts of scientists to communicate about genetic engineering have been misused," they complained. [http://education.guardian.govco.uk/registeredcharitieshigher/news/showcharity.asp?regno=1101114&submit=Run+Searchstory/0,9830,1075117,00.html] ===Board of Trustees=== *Lord [[Dick Taverne[http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/news/story/0,9830,1075102,00.html]] QC (Chair .  *Professor Dame Tony Blair subsequently told the Commons that he had not ruled out the commercialisation of GM crops in Britain [[Bridget Ogilvie]] FMedSci FRS (Vicehttp://www.parliament.the-stationery-Chair) *Professor office.co.uk/pa/cm200203/cmhansrd/vo031110/text/31110w04.htm#31110w04.html_sbhd1]. The group has also planted a variety of pro-GM stories in the media, including the [[Janet BainbridgeBroom's Barn]] OBE trials.*Dr [[Shereen El Feki]] *Dr The trust shared the same phone number as [[Michael FitzpatrickGlobal Futures]] *Ms [[Diana Garnhamhttp://www.monbiot.com/archives/2003/12/09/invasion-of-the-entryists/]] *Professor Sir , and is related through this organisation and common personnel, to the libertarian [[Brian HeapInstitute of Ideas]] CBE FRS *Professor and the [[Chris LeaverLM group]] CBE FRS *Sir [[John Maddox. The domain name senseaboutscience.org.uk was registered by [[Rob Lyons]] FRS *Dr , the web master of right wing e-zine [[Peter MarshSpiked Online]] *Dr , edited by the prominent LM partisan [[Mark MatfieldMick Hume]] . ==Personnel==*Baroness Director [[Onora O'NeillTracey Brown]] of Bengarve *Dr Assistant [[Christie PeacockEllen Raphael]] *Lord Both are former employees of [[Regester Larkin]], a [[Henry PlumbRisk management]] of Coleshill DL PR company. ==Constitution=Advisory council====Charity Commission registration=== *Professor [[John Adams]], University College London *Mr [[Richard Ayre]]Sense about Science was registered as charity number 1101114 with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 9 December 2003. The legal objects, Journalist which describe what the charity has been set up to achieve, are registered with the Commission as follows:*Mr [[Peter Bell]], Former controller :<em>1: To advice the education of the public in any branch of scientific research (including social science) and in particular by the dissemination of such research and useful information about such research. 2: To promote (for the benefit of the community) the knowledge and understanding of the public of policy, BBC News *Professor Sir [[Colin Berry]] FMedSci *Professor [[Colin Blakemore]] FMedSci FRS, Medical Research Council *Professor Sir [[Robert Boyd]] FMedSci *Professor [[Derek Burke]] CBE *Professor [[Peter Campbell]] *Professor Sir [[David Carter]] FMedSci, The British Medical Association *Professor [[John Coggins]]and to stimulate the interest of the public in, the creation, Biochemical Society *Professor presentation and use of scientific research.</em> [[Phil Dale]], John Innes Research Centre http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/registeredcharities/showcharity.asp?regno=1101114&submit=Run+Search] *Professor [[Adrian Dixon]] FMedSci, Royal College ===Board of Radiologists Trustees===*Dr Lord [[Simon FestingDick Taverne]], Association of Medical Research Charities QC (Chair*Dr Professor Dame [[Ron FraserBridget Ogilvie]], Society for General Microbiology FMedSci FRS (Vice-Chair)*Dr Professor [[Nicola GrayJanet Bainbridge]], Royal Pharmaceutical Society OBE*Lord Dr [[Julian HuntShereen El Feki]] of Chesterton FRS *Lord Dr [[Charles JenkinMichael Fitzpatrick]] of Roding *Professor Ms [[Trevor JonesDiana Garnham]] CBE, The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry *Professor Sir [[Peter LachmannBrian Heap]] CBE FRS FMedSci, Cambridge Centre for Veterinary Science *Dr *Professor [[Stephen LadymanChris Leaver]] MP CBE FRS*Ms Sir [[Prue LeithJohn Maddox]] OBE FRS*Dr [[Robin Lovell-BadgePeter Marsh]] FRS, National Institute for Medical Research *Professor Dr [[Julian MaMark Matfield]], St George's Hospital Medical School *Professor Baroness [[Alan MalcolmOnora O'Neill]], Institute of Biology Bengarve*Professor Dr [[Vivian MosesChristie Peacock]], King's College London *Professor Sir Lord [[Keith PetersHenry Plumb]] FRS PMedSci, The Academy of Medical Sciences Coleshill DL ===Advisory council===*Dr Professor [[Matt RidleyJohn Adams (UCL)]] FMedSci , University College London*Professor Mr [[Anthony TrewavasRichard Ayre]] FRS, University of Edinburgh Journalist*Lord Mr [[Leslie TurnbergPeter Bell]] , Former controller of Cheadle FMedSci policy, BBC News*Dr Professor Sir [[Roger TurnerColin Berry]] FMedSci*Professor [[Michael WilsonColin Blakemore]]FMedSci FRS, Horticultural Medical Research International Council ==Funding== *Professor Sir [[Robert Boyd]] FMedSciSense about Science publishes a donor llist online *Professor [[http://www.senseaboutscience.org.uk/Donors.htmDerek Burke]] CBE*Professor [[Peter Campbell]]. Financial contributions, for both core and project-related costs, have been received from: *Professor Sir [[David Carter]] FMedSci, The British Medical Association of the British Pharmaceutial Industry (ABPI)  *Amersham plc Professor [[John Coggins]], Biochemical Society*Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Professor [[Phil Dale]], John Innes Research Council (BBSRC) Centre*The Biochemical Society *Blackwells publishing Professor [[Adrian Dixon]] FMedSci, Royal College of Radiologists*British Petroleum plc Dr [[Simon Festing]], Association of Medical Research Charities*Mr J. Browning Dr [[Ron Fraser]], Society for General Microbiology*Mr D. Brydon Dr [[Nicola Gray]], Royal Pharmaceutical Society*Prof A. Dixon Lord [[Julian Hunt]] of Chesterton FRS*Dixons Group plc *The Society for Endocrinology *The Society for General Microbiology Lord [[Charles Jenkin]] of Roding*Professor [[GlaxoSmithKlineTrevor Jones]] CBE, The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry*Halifax Bank of Scotland *Health and Professor Sir [[Peter Lachmann]] FRS FMedSci, Cambridge Centre for Veterinary Science Communication Trust *International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) Dr [[Stephen Ladyman]] MP*John Innes Centre Ms [[Prue Leith]] OBE*The John Innes Trust Dr [[Robin Lovell-Badge]] FRS, National Institute for Medical Research*Mr. J. Moynihan Professor [[Julian Ma]], St George's Hospital Medical School*Mr M. Livermore *Oxford GlycoSciences plc *Phizer plc *Royal Pharmaceutical Society Professor [[Alan Malcolm]], Institute of Great Britain *Blackwells Publishing *Dr M. Ridley Biology*Professor [[Social Issues Research CentreVivian Moses]] , King's College London*Unilever plc. Help with equipment and facilities has been received from: Professor Sir [[Keith Peters]] FRS PMedSci, The Academy of Medical Sciences*AXA Investment Management Dr [[Matt Ridley]] FMedSci*Horticultural Research International *The Natural History Museum Professor [[Anthony Trewavas]] FRS, University of Edinburgh*Lord Stevenson of Coddenham *[[WPP]Leslie Turnberg]] plc of Cheadle FMedSci *Dr [[Roger Turner]]Has funded pro--GM research such as a survey on the cost of vandalism to sugar beet trials at [[Broom's Barn*Professor [[Michael Wilson]] GM research centre. , Horticultural Research International ==Contact detailsFunding== 60 Cambridge Street<br> London<br> SW1V 4QQ Tel: +44 (0)1795 591975<br> Sense about Science publishes a donor llist online [http://www.senseaboutscience.org.uk/index.php/site/other/130/]. Financial contributions, for both core and project-related costs, have been received from:Fax: +44 *Association of the British Pharmaceutial Industry (0ABPI)20 7592 9684<br> Web: *Amersham plc*Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)*The Biochemical Society*Blackwells publishing*British Petroleum plc*Mr J. Browning*Mr D. Brydon*Prof A. Dixon*Dixons Group plc*The Society for Endocrinology*The Society for General Microbiology*[[GlaxoSmithKline]]*Halifax Bank of Scotland*Health and Science Communication Trust*International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA)*John Innes Centre*The John Innes Trust*Mr. J. Moynihan*Mr [[M. Livermore]]*Oxford GlycoSciences plc*[[Pfizer]] plc*Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain*Blackwells Publishing*Dr M. Ridley*[[Social Issues Research Centre]]*Unilever plc. Help with equipment and facilities has been received from:*AXA Investment Management*Horticultural Research International*The Natural History Museum*[[Lord Stevenson of Coddenham]]*[[WPP]] plc Has funded pro--GM research such as a survey on the cost of vandalism to sugar beet trials at [[Broom's Barn]] GM research centre. ==Contact details==60 Cambridge Street<br>London<br>SW1V 4QQ Tel: +44 (0)1795 591975<br>Fax: +44 (0)20 7592 9684<br>Web: http://www.senseaboutscience.org.uk/<br> Email: enquiries AT senseaboutscience.org ://www.senseaboutscience.org.uk/<br>Email: enquiries AT senseaboutscience.org ==Articles and resources== ===Related SourceWatch articles===*[[Colipa]] ===References===<references/> ===External resources===* Spinwatch profile of [http://www.spinwatch.org/modules.php?name=Encyclopedia&op=content&tid=261 Sense About Science]* [http://www.sciencecouncil.org The Science Council] ===External articles=References and further reading== *George Monbiot, "[http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,3604,1102753,00.html Invasion of the Entryists: How did a cultish political network become the public face of the scientific establishment?]", ''The Guardian'', December 9, 2003 *David Derbyshire, "[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/connected/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fconnected%2F2003%2F05%2F29%2Fecfluor28.xml Fluoride, fluoride everywhere...]", ''Daily Telegraph'', 29 May 2003 *Andy Rowell and Bob Burton, "[httphttps://www.prwatch.org/prwissues/2003Q1/gm.html Rising Rhetoric on Genetically Modified Crops]", ''PR Watch'', Volume 10 No 1, First quarter 2003. *[http://www.gmwatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=1689 Sense about Science - GM Watch profile], November 7, 2003 *Andy Rowell, [http://society.guardian.co.uk/societyguardian/story/0,7843,921537,00.html The alliance of science], ''The Guardian'', March 26, 2003 *"[http://www.gmwatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=41 The Royal Society: best of British science or corporate rentboy?]", ''GMWatch'' Newsletter Number 6, 8 February 2003