Open Science/Week 2: Science in The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Learning Outcomes

• Describe the role of human rights in scientific education.
• Explain the two main parts of the “human right to science” in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Readings

Universal Declaration of Human Rights, United Nations, 10 December 1948, Copyright © United Nations.

General Comment No. 25 on Science and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, UN Doc. E/C.12/GC/25, United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR), 30 April 2020, Copyright © United Nations. 19 pages.

Optional: International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, United United Nations General Assembly, 16 December 1966, Copyright © United Nations. 8 pages. See especially Preamble (for context) and Article 15.

Discussion Question

Have you learned about human rights in your scientific education before now? If so, describe your experience. If not, describe how the topic of human rights could have been introduced into your scientific education. Conclude your post with a question that could be answered by others in the class.

Self-check Questions

1 Review the Preamble and Articles 1 and 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. How does the document describe the population to whom these rights apply? Choose the best answer.

	all members of the human family
	all human beings
	everyone
	all of the above

2 How does the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) refer to science?

	Twice, in Article 27.
	The UDHR does not refer specifically to science. You must read between the lines to see the relationship.
	Three times, in the Preamble, Article 1, and Article 18.

3 Review General Comment No. 25 on Science and Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. What is included in the “human right to science”? Choose the best answer.

	rights
	obligations
	entitlements
	all of the above

4 The right to participate in and enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications contains both freedoms, such as [blank] and entitlements, such as [blank].?

	sharing scientific data and analysis with the public; state promotion of open science
	the freedom to conduct research without regard for ethical norms; an entitlement to the removal of discriminatory barriers to participation in science
	the freedom to withdraw from research projects perceived to violate a personal sense of ethics; an entitlement to ignore the intellectual property rights of others for the sake of scientific progress
	the freedom to define what qualifies as science on a local or individual level; an entitlement to adequate funding of scientific education

5 Special attention should be paid to groups that have experienced systemic discrimination in science. States who are parties to the covenant may need to take temporary measures to achieve equity and inclusion for these groups. To which groups does this protection apply? Choose the best answer.

	women
	persons with disabilities
	persons living in poverty
	indigenous peoples
	all of the above
	all of the above, plus additional groups