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Science, Technology and the

Distribution of Impacts

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The Conundrum If we set aside the structural inequalities

that flow from the U.S. economy, are

there any reasons why poor peoplewould be disadvantaged by S&T

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Tasks Identified in the Proposal Task 1. Develop a review of existing literature related to

the distribution of S&T impacts.

Task 2. Develop plausible hypotheses about the relation ofS&T social, political and production dynamics as they

pertain to the distribution of S&T impacts. Task 3. Develop conceptual models pertaining to Task 2.

Task 4. Case Studies. A set of case studies will bedeveloped to test the models articulated in Task 3.

Task 5. Survey Research or Case Histories. Task 5considers citizens experiences and preferences for S&Toutcomes and consumption. This may be done either byintensive case histories of families or by survey researchor both.

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Issues examined in the paper Demonstrably, the mix of benefits and costs of science

and technology are presently quite unequal. Whatfactors account for observed disparities?

What are the concepts of equality that one can examinewith respect to the outcomes of science and technology?

The impacts of science and technology cannot beperfectly equal. Absent a perfect distribution of benefits,what types and levels of equality of benefit are possible

and desirable? How do characteristics of S&T interact with dimensions

of equality to conduce social impacts and how may thoseimpacts be conceptualized?

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S&T? S or T? Despite several fundamental differences, we view science and

technology (hereafter S&T) as having this in common:

(1) both are based on technical knowledge, that is, knowledgedeveloped through some combination of systematicempirical observation and the use of pre-existing knowledge(including theory but also many other bases of knowledge);

(2) both accumulate and are available to other knowledgeproducers and the utility of the knowledge is certified byothers use (e.g. Bozeman and Rogers, 2001);

(3) both are subject to revision on pragmatic grounds;

(4) both may be embedded in process and product innovations.

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S&T as a unified technology

delivery systemWhen taken together, almost all non-

naturalphysical configurations affecting

human beings have their origins in S&T.Most innovations involve the melding of

physical device and formal, devised

social configurations to affect human

beings as technology delivery systems

(Ezra, 1975).

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Types Equality Relevant to S&T

Impacts: Value Statements Political Equality

People affected by political decisions should have the opportunity toparticipate in those decisions.

Equality of Opportunity

People should have the opportunity to participate in the marketplace,and reap rewards as a function of their ability and effort.

Equality of Basic Needs

There is a certain basic minimum that all members of society should

be provided, regardless of merit. Biological Equality

People should not be discriminated against on the basis of biologicalcharacteristics.

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Political Equality and S&T Impacts

Type of Equality S&T Impacts Literature

Political

Equality

-Access and ability to use

information technology

may be needed to gatherrelevant information.

-A basic understanding of

scientific principles is

necessary to interpret

scientific and technical

information.-Knowledge sharing and

political empowerment

requires ability to use

communication

technologies.

Kellog and Mathur

2003; Plough and

Krimsky 1990; Fielder1992;Epstein 2000; Tesh

2003;

Sclove 2000;

Kakabadse et al. 2003;

Epstein 2000;Winner

1992; Kleinman 2000

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IndividualImpact

Capacity-Impact

HedonicImpact

SocialImpact

Fig. One: S&T Social Impact Model

Internet HeartValve

Cinema

MP3Player

PersonalComputer

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IndividualImpact

Capacity-Impact

ConsumptionImpact

SocialImpact

Biological +

Biological -

Opportunity -

Opportunity +

Political +

Political -

BasicNeeds-

BasicNeeds+

Fig. Two: Expanded

S&T Social Impact Model

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Policy Choice and S&T Impacts

Distribution- Examples

The predominance of white males in clinical trials (a defacto distributional choice);

Minimal funds devoted to diseases of the poor, includingtuberculosis and malaria, while diseases affecting a fraction

of the people (but ones who vote and have strongassociational interest groups);

Increasing funds allocated to high end, enormouslyexpensive medical technology that can only be afforded bythose with excellent private insurance;

Placement of garbage burning incineration plants in lowincome neighborhoods;

R&D tax credits (for profitable, high technology business)

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Questions about Maldistribution of

S&T Impacts Does peer review and the emphasis on the quality of research mitigate

the focus on social benefit and the distribution of benefits?

Compared to civilian technology, does a focus on defense and nationalsecurity technology, and the dual use technologies that accrue, tendto provide less benefit to the disadvantaged?

What are the impacts of labor saving technologies on jobs usuallyoccupied by the poor?

How does new technology present barriers to entry in the workforceor barriers to workforce mobility?-Labor class, Technical jobs

Do advances in linkage technologies (e.g. banking and financialservices) further disempower the poor?

Do technologies, including medical technologies, allow the rich to wallthemselves from the poor and thereby reduce attention to issues thatonce affected the general public