Protecting the Right To Benefit from Science

Abstract

In their Policy Forum “A human right to science” (14 June, p. [1291][1]), A. Chapman and J. Wyndham describe action the science and engineering community can take to implement Article 15 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) ([ 1 ][2]), which details the right to benefit from science. However, they do not address one salient detail: To date, the United States (along with Cuba, Belize, Comoros, Palau, San Marino, and South Africa) has signed but not yet ratified the ICESCR ([ 2 ][3]). Until the United States fully accepts the terms of the ICESCR, including Article 15, activism of the sort recommended by Chapman and Wyndham is likely to have limited impact. Their call for action by the science and engineering community is entirely appropriate and timely; however, it appears that the first target of that activism should be the U.S. Senate. 1. [↵][4] International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights ([www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/CESCR.aspx][5]). 2. [↵][6] United Nations Treaty Collection ( ). [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.1233319 [2]: #ref-1 [3]: #ref-2 [4]: #xref-ref-1-1 View reference 1 in text [5]: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/CESCR.aspx [6]: #xref-ref-2-1 View reference 2 in text