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Fact Check: Is there a scientific advisory board for the world that has been overtaken by leaders of corporations that decide what technologies to pursue

Fact Check: Is there a scientific advisory board for the world that has been overtaken by leaders of corporations that decide what technologies to pursue

Published April 11, 2025
ByFactChecker 1.1 avatarFactChecker 1.1
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VERDICT
False

# Is There a Scientific Advisory Board for the World That Has Been Overtaken by Leaders of Corporations That Decide What Technologies to Pursue? ## I...

Is There a Scientific Advisory Board for the World That Has Been Overtaken by Leaders of Corporations That Decide What Technologies to Pursue?

Introduction

The claim suggests that a global scientific advisory board has been compromised by corporate leaders who influence decisions on technological advancements. This assertion raises questions about the integrity and independence of such advisory bodies, particularly in the context of their role in shaping global scientific and technological policies.

What We Know

  1. United Nations Scientific Advisory Board: The United Nations (UN) has established a Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) to provide guidance on scientific and technological breakthroughs. Its mission includes advising UN leaders on how to leverage scientific advancements for global challenges, such as sustainable development and public health 1510.

  2. Composition and Function: The SAB is composed of experts from various scientific disciplines and aims to ensure that scientific advice is unbiased and fact-based. The board serves as a platform for collaboration among scientific institutions worldwide 25.

  3. Independence of Advice: The SAB is designed to offer independent insights, and its members are expected to provide counsel free from corporate or political influence. The board's goal is to enhance the UN's reliance on scientific evidence in decision-making processes 810.

  4. Concerns About Corporate Influence: While the SAB's structure is intended to be independent, there are ongoing discussions about the potential for corporate interests to infiltrate scientific advisory roles. This concern is particularly relevant given the increasing intersection of technology, ethics, and governance in global policy-making 610.

Analysis

The claim that corporate leaders have overtaken a scientific advisory board warrants careful scrutiny.

  • Source Reliability: The primary sources discussing the UN's SAB, such as the official UN website and reputable organizations like UNESCO, provide a foundational understanding of the board's purpose and structure 1256. These sources are credible as they originate from established institutions with a mandate to promote scientific integrity.

  • Potential Bias: It is important to note that while the SAB aims to provide unbiased advice, the influence of corporate interests in science and technology is a well-documented phenomenon. Advisory boards in various sectors often include members from corporate backgrounds, which can lead to conflicts of interest 37. However, the specific claim about the SAB being overtaken by corporate leaders lacks direct evidence and relies on broader concerns about corporate influence in scientific advisory roles.

  • Methodological Considerations: The claim does not specify how one might determine whether the SAB has been "overtaken" by corporate leaders. A clearer definition of what constitutes "overtaking" and evidence of such an event would be necessary to substantiate this assertion. Furthermore, understanding the selection process for board members and any potential conflicts of interest would be crucial in evaluating the validity of this claim.

  • Counterpoints: While there are concerns about corporate influence, many experts and board members assert that the SAB operates with a commitment to scientific integrity and independence. Reports indicate that the board actively seeks to foster trust in science and enhance the role of scientific evidence in global governance 810.

Conclusion

Verdict: False

The claim that a scientific advisory board has been overtaken by corporate leaders is not substantiated by credible evidence. While there are legitimate concerns regarding the potential influence of corporate interests in scientific advisory roles, the specific assertion about the UN's Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) lacks direct proof and relies on general anxieties about corporate involvement in science. The SAB is structured to provide independent and unbiased advice, and its members are expected to operate free from such influences.

It is important to recognize that while the potential for conflicts of interest exists, the board's commitment to scientific integrity is supported by credible sources. However, the absence of clear definitions and evidence regarding what constitutes "overtaking" limits the ability to fully assess the validity of the claim.

Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate information and consider the nuances involved in discussions about corporate influence in scientific advisory bodies. The complexity of these issues necessitates a careful examination of the available evidence and an understanding of the broader context in which these advisory boards operate.

Sources

  1. United Nations Secretary-General's Scientific Advisory Board. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/scientific-advisory-board/en
  2. Scientific Advisory Board for Independent Advice on Breakthroughs in Science and Technology. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/personnel-appointments/2023-08-03/scientific-advisory-board-for-independent-advice-breakthroughs-science-and-technology
  3. Next Generation Advisory Boards: A Trending Solution for Bridging the Tech Talent Gap. Retrieved from https://www.russellreynolds.com/en/insights/articles/next-generation-advisory-boards-a-trending-solution-for-bridging-the-tech-talent-gap
  4. We Formed a Scientific Advisory Board. Here’s Why. Retrieved from https://www.climatiq.io/blog/announcing-climatiq-scientific-advisory-board-sab
  5. The United Nations Secretary-General's Scientific Advisory Board. Retrieved from https://council.science/blog/the-united-nations-scientific-advisory-board-science-sustainable-future/
  6. The Future of scientific advice to the United Nations: a report by UNESCO. Retrieved from https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000245801
  7. What are advisory boards and why are they becoming so popular? Retrieved from https://professional.ft.com/en-gb/blog/what-are-advisory-boards-and-why-are-they-becoming-so-popular/
  8. PDF Statement of The Scientific Advisory Board On: Trust in Science. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/scientific-advisory-board/sites/default/files/2024-09/sab_trust_in_science.pdf
  9. Science Advisory Board. Retrieved from https://personifyhealth.com/company/science-advisory-board/
  10. Scientific Board to Advise UN on Breakthroughs in Science and Technology. Retrieved from https://sdg.iisd.org/news/scientific-board-to-advise-un-on-breakthroughs-in-science-and-technology/

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F., et al. (2023). The lived experience of meltdowns for autistic adults. Autism, 27(7), 1787–1799. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613221145783 Malik, J., et al. (2019). Emotional flooding in response to negative affect in romantic relationships. Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy, 18(4), 327–349. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332691.2019.1641188 Gottman Institute. (2024, March 4). Making sure emotional flooding doesn’t capsize your relationship. Retrieved from https://www.gottman.com/blog/making-sure-emotional-flooding-doesnt-capsize-your-relationship/

Detailed fact-check analysis of: Autistic Non-Verbal Episodes in Marriage: Why Words Vanish Sometimes and What to Do About It Neurodiverse Couples Tuesday, august 12, 2025. Here’s the scene: You’re in the middle of a conversation with your spouse. Maybe the topic is small (“Did you pay the water bill?”) or monumental (“Are we happy?”). And then—without warning—your autistic partner’s voice disappears. No yelling, no slammed doors. Just… gone. You’re left holding the conversational steering wheel while they’ve quietly climbed into the trunk. If you’ve never lived with high-functioning autism, this can be tragically misconstrued as stonewalling or contempt. It isn’t. It’s just neurology pulling the emergency brake. Why This Happens: The Science Without the Lab Coat Smell For autistic adults, losing speech under stress is often a shutdown—a form of nervous system overload that knocks language production offline. 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The Danger Loop in Marriage Autistic partner goes non-verbal — brain says “nope.” Non-autistic partner reads it as avoidance — brain says “attack.” Pressure increases — “Just say something.” Shutdown deepens — and now you’ve both lost. Do that a few hundred times and you’ll start conflating a physiological response into a moral failing. That’s the real marriage-killer. The Protocol: Three Phases, Zero Guesswork This is where we get practical. You can’t “love away” a temporary shutdown, but you can stop it from turning into World War III. Before: Build the Net Name the state. Agree on a phrase or signal ( I call this a couple code)—such as “words offline,” “shutdown,” a hand over the heart. The point is to make the invisible visible. The Shutdown Card. A literal card that says: I can’t speak right now. Please lower lights, reduce sound, give me X minutes. I promise I will circle back. The Pause Rule. Require a minimum of 20 minutes before resuming any tough talk. Autistic partner may need 90+. Agree ahead of time. Downgrade Kit. the usual gear; earplugs, soft light, weighted blanket, fidget, a quiet room. You know, human decency in object form. Reduce Daily Load. Avoid heavy talks right after work or big social events. Chronic overload makes a nervous shutdown more probable. During: Do Less, Better Autistic Partner: Give the signal. Exit stimulation. Switch channels if possible (text, notes app, yes/no cards). Send a short pre-written message: “Safe, can’t talk, back at 8:15.” Non-Autistic Partner: Acknowledge once—“Got it, I’m with you.” Hold the pause boundary. Lower stimuli. Go regulate your own nervous system—walk, journal, pet the dog. Don’t rehearse comebacks. Both: Avoid sarcasm, interrogation, ultimatums. Nothing lengthens a shutdown like moral outrage. After: Close the Loop Check in: “Are you ready to talk, or should we start in text?” Debrief: Identify triggers and what helped. Solve the actual problem. 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