Science: a controversial commodity?

This paper argues that science as an activity in developed countries has in recent years undergone a radical shift from its traditional Mertonian form to a new. commodified variant. The impetus for this change has been the funding decisions of governments. As a result, science has been 'captured' by the private sector and, consequently, public trust in and understanding of science has diminished. These argumenis are explored by setting out the two models and then explaining the process of change by reference to universities as examples. The paper then presents two case studies, one of genetically modified organisms and the other on mobile phone safety, to illustrate the breakdown in public understanding and acceptance of science.