Science is for the experts. Only experts really understand it, so only the experts can direct science policy. Such opinions, orthodoxy not long ago, are now widely discredited. The debacle of BSE, and then the GM scandals ended the era of blind faith in the science establishment. No longer does a grateful public trust the priests of esoteric scientific knowledge, safe in the trust that the truths they minister are objective and secure.

Faced with the collapse in public confidence, and the challenge to regulate science in a truly democratic way, policy makers have innovated. The great series of public consultations taught important lessons. The public is concerned to integrate technical and safety questions with a broader set of 'public value' questions. Not just "Is there any known risk?", but questions like "why do we need this innovation at all?" or, "who will profit from it, and at whose cost?"

No amount of public consultation, however, can overcome the essential fact that underpinned the old orthodoxy: scientists understand their field far better than outsiders. Scientific truth cannot be settled by public opinion poll.

The 'citizen scientist' offers a possible route through the impasse, and an answer that Christians may be particularly inclined to identify with. Developed by the think tank Demos, which has been influential in science policy, the concept calls for scientists to integrate 'public value' questions into research proposals and trajectories. Whilst methodological objectivity is integral to the scientific method, it is mistaken to assume that research should not also be infused with conscious moral purpose. Rather than assume that the scientific community is morally neutral and that government must create the moral direction and boundaries for research, Demos has encouraged researchers to pay attention to the ethical consequences of their work at every stage, to promote a culture of science more closely aligned to public interests and demands. Although there is still a place for consultation and formal regulation, this model promotes 'public value' science far more than legislation and regulation ever could.

Q: What is a think-tank?
A: An organisation that conducts research and develops public policy suggestions. Some are politically affiliated, like the Institute for Public Policy Research with links to Labour, others like the King's Fund which focuses on health policy, do not have distinct political affiliations.

Nonetheless, the citizen scientist faces substantial difficulties, as is acknowledged by Demos. For example, the career ladder rarely acknowledges scientists with an interest in public engagement, or a perceived preoccupation with ethical concerns. As one materials scientist at Oxford was asked, "What kind of scientist do you want to be, a social scientist or a real scientist?"

Despite such difficulties, for years Christians in Science have infused the unique insights of scientific expertise with God-inspired social concern so as to strive for the greater good of the whole community. Knowing that the scientific endeavour must always be answerable to a higher purpose, we are partially immunised against distorted idolisation of any aspect of the scientific method. Moreover, the call to be a 'citizen scientist' resonates deeply with the universal Christian vocation to work for God's values in the world around us. Our primary citizenship may be heavenly, but as ambassadors of Christ on earth, the idea of the 'citizen scientist' is a reminder of our calling to seek God¹s purposes in all the work we do.

Rachel Bell, Masters Student in Bio-Sociology, LSE, and part-time associate director of the Centre for Bioethics and Public Policy