|
|
|
Print this article 
SOT Co-Hosts Press Briefing with George Mason and STATS on Chemical Risks
On May 21, SOT's Council and researchers from George Mason University held a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. to discuss the preliminary results of a survey that SOT members undertook last winter to explore the members' perceptions about chemical risk and the distribution of toxicological information.
SOT conducted the survey in recognition of the gaps in communications that exist between toxicologists, the press and the public. As SOT President Cheryl Lyn Walker explained when she introduced members of the panel who participated at the press event, "the scientists and the press sitting here have a big part to play in how much concern and fear we generate in the public's mind. The polling of a subset of the general membership, though limited in terms of its value in defining measure of perceived or real risk, is a useful tool to begin to define some of the critical issues that can drive discussions between toxicologists, the media and the general public."
SOT Vice President Michael Holsapple participated in the panel discussion along with S. Robert Lichter, President of the Statistical Assessment Service and Professor of Communications at George Mason University; Gary L. Kreps, Chair of the Dept. of Communication and Director, Center for Health & Risk Communication at George Mason University; and Steven Ross, Editor-in-Chief Broadband Properties Magazine. Dr. Holsapple pointed out that the Society is a diverse organization consisting of scientists with differing views. "It should not be surprising that we have differing opinions about what poses a risk and/or what chemicals are harmful. By undertaking the survey, we had the opportunity to find out just how much variation there is in our membership on a range of topics," he explained. He went on to point out that SOT was interested in asking scientists how they felt the media was interpreting their research results and in finding ways to enhance the exchange with the media and the public. Surveys show that only one in four Americans is science literate. "We need to do a better job communicating our results, interpretations, perspectives, and recommendations and to give guidance as to the best ways we all can evaluate potential health risks."
The survey is the first phase of what the Society hopes to do in terms of filling in the gaps that exist between science and the media's coverage of the science. The SOT Council and members of the SOT Communications Committee will devise a long-term strategy to facilitate discussions with other organizations, toxicologists, and the media.
For additional information about this activity, about the SOT Communications Strategy, or about future SOT plans relating to outreach to the media, please contact Martha Lindauer, SOT Communications Manager.
|
