A rough-and-ready model like the dosha theory is basically the result of reasoning intuitively – of using rules of thumb to simplify problems for the sake of efficiency. It relies on commonsensical shortcuts that have arisen as handy ways to solve complex cognitive problems rapidly, but at a cost of inaccuracies and misfires.
R Ramanujam examines the NEP in the context of the role of Internet and Communication Technology in education and argues that one needs to be mindful of what exactly is desired before embracing technology wholesale in science education.
The Draft National Education Policy is an ambitious document that aims to bring in wide-spread reforms in the field of education and research. But do we have enough money to realize these goals? Sukanya Bose and Arvind Sardana examine this question.
Lakhotia, Patwardhan and Rastogi examine a recent advisory by the AYUSH ministry that mandates the inclusion of AYUSH experts in any study on AYUSH drugs.
As scientists, we need to recognize that communicating our research findings to the non-specialist, taking our science to the next-door neighbour or a vendor on the street or a politician, spreading the excitement of science among young people are our responsibilities as much as carrying out our research with sincerity and honesty is.
Shashank S Tiwari examines some of the ethical, social and regulatory issues linked to Direct To Consumer genetic tests in India.
L.S. Shahsidhara discusses the merits of Plan S and what we need to do to implement it properly and reduce misuse.
M. S. Santhanam examines the pros and cons of Plan S for Indian Academia.
G. V. Pavan Kumar discusses the constructive role of unstructured conversations in scientific research.
The practice of authors or their funders paying for readers to read the work remains a fertile ground for may unwarranted practices and consequences.
In clinics and banks across the world gametes are stored in colour- coded vials, with utmost importance placed on racially matching recipients with gametes. Black parents get black eggs and sperms, and white parents get white gametes and no one raises an eyebrow. It’s only when black women choose white eggs or a white woman gets wrongly inseminated with black eggs and colour lines are crossed that the topic is deemed newsworthy.
Science relies and thrives on facts. INSA advocates the use of verifiable evidences in a logical manner to arrive at any inference.
If the majority of the population starts believing in pseudoscience just because we chose to remain silent, and hence the society starts moving backwards, isn’t that is where the motto of practising science loses its meaning?
