Austin Dacey wrote:
From: "Austin Dacey"
To: "Jahed Ahmed"Subject: Study of Indian scientists' religious and ethical worldview to be released by Center for Inquiry
Date: Tue, 27 May 2008 11:56:15 -0400
Dear Jahed,
Please pass along my personal invitation to this press conference, open
to the public, on June 5 at 11am at 777 UN Plaza (44th St and 1st Ave)
Best wishes,
Austin
_________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Austin Dacey, PhD
Representative to the United Nations
Center for Inquiry
+1 (212) 504-2937
adacey@centerforinquiry.net
INDIAN SCIENTISTS EMBRACE BIOTECHNOLOGY AND AYURVEDIC MEDICINE
SIMULTANEOUSLY, NEW STUDY FINDS
**First-of-its-kind national survey of over 1,000 professional
scientists reveals a diverse picture of belief and opinion amid dramatic
cultural richness**
New York, NY (May 7, 2008) -- A major new survey of Indian scientists'
opinions and attitudes regarding religion, ethics, and society will be
released at United Nations Plaza on June 5, 2008, where lead researchers
will present a summary report of key results.
Among other intriguing findings, the study shows that only 8 percent of
Indian scientists express ethical reservations about genetic engineering
and stem cell research, while 90 percent somewhat or strongly agree with
the teaching of traditional Ayurvedic medicine in university degree
courses.
The groundbreaking sociological study is the first in a series,
Worldviews and Opinions of Scientists, which aims to explore the
worldviews and opinions of science professionals in various non-Western
societies. This international academic research project is conducted by
the Institute for the Study of Secularism in Society and Culture at
Trinity College (ISSSC), in Hartford, Connecticut under the direction of
Professors Barry Kosmin and Ariela Keysar.
Prof. Keysar noted that "Secularism has a unique meaning in India. A
vast majority of scientists perceive secularism as tolerance for various
religions and philosophies and this is reflected in their approach to
scientific issues."
Other survey questions cover topics such as Reasons for Becoming a
Scientist, Status of Women, Scientific Literacy in India, Opinions
Regarding Evolution, Ethical Constraints on Science, Belief in God,
Belief in Miracles, and Spirituality.
The ISSSC study survey of 1,100 Indian scientists was designed in
consultation with Dr. Meera Nanda, author of Prophets Facing Backwards,
and conducted in cooperation with the Center for Inquiry-India, for
which the distinguished scientist Dr. P.M. Bhargava serves as a chief
adviser.
Prof. Kosmin explained that "India was chosen because of its increasing
scientific importance on the global scene and its special constitutional
commitment to 'develop scientific temper'."
A summary report of the survey will be released at a press conference
and seminar on June 5, 2008 at 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (lunch will be served)
at 777 United Nations Plaza, 44th St. & 1st Ave., 2nd Floor.
The Worldviews and Opinions of Scientists series is conducted in
cooperation with the Center for Inquiry, a non-governmental organization
in special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of
the United Nations. The Center is an international educational network
concerned with the scientific outlook and its intersection with public
policy and development. Online at www.centerforinquiry.net.
###
__._,_.___
*****************************************
Sign the Petition : Release the Arrested University Teachers Immediately : An Appeal to the Caretaker Government of Bangladesh
http://www.mukto-mona.com/human_rights/university_teachers_arrest.htm
*****************************************
Daily Star publishes an interview with Mukto-Mona
http://www.mukto-mona.com/news/daily_star/daily_star_MM.pdf
*****************************************
MM site is blocked in Islamic countries such as UAE. Members of those theocratic states, kindly use any proxy (such as http://proxy.org/) to access mukto-mona.
*****************************************
Mukto-Mona Celebrates 5th Anniversary
http://www.mukto-mona.com/Special_Event_/5_yrs_anniv/index.htm
*****************************************
Mukto-Mona Celebrates Earth Day:
http://www.mukto-mona.com/Special_Event_/Earth_day2006/index.htm
*****************************************
Kansat Uprising : A Special Page from Mukto-Mona
http://www.mukto-mona.com/human_rights/kansat2006/members/
*****************************************
MM Project : Grand assembly of local freedom fighters at Raumari
http://www.mukto-mona.com/project/Roumari/freedom_fighters_union300306.htm
*****************************************
German Bangla Radio Interviews Mukto-Mona Members:
http://www.mukto-mona.com/Special_Event_/Darwin_day/german_radio/
Mukto-Mona Celebrates Darwin Day:
http://www.mukto-mona.com/Special_Event_/Darwin_day/index.htm
*****************************************
Some FAQ's about Mukto-Mona:
http://www.mukto-mona.com/new_site/mukto-mona/faq_mm.htm
****************************************************
VISIT MUKTO-MONA WEB-SITE : http://www.mukto-mona.com/
****************************************************
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it".
-Beatrice Hall [pseudonym: S.G. Tallentyre], 190
Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)
Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
Visit Your Group | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use | Unsubscribe
__,_._,___