A/HRC/20/26 funding and research priorities, science policies, emerging areas of research, and new technological applications should entail a participatory process. 44. Some States have initiated public consultations on scientific advances. The Societal Dialogue on Nanotechnologies in the Netherlands, for example, catalysed the formulation of a public agenda, “Responsibly forward with nanotechnologies”, that was submitted to the Government for its consideration.47 In India, wide-ranging public consultations led the Government to impose a moratorium on Bt brinjal. 48 A number of countries use consensus conferences, citizens’ dialogues or other consultative mechanisms49 to elicit the views of the public. 4. An enabling environment for the conservation, development and diffusion of science 45. Under article 15, paragraph 2 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, States undertake to take the steps necessary for the conservation, development and diffusion of science. These three interconnected aspects are essential. 46. Conservation requires the identification and safeguarding of scientific knowledge, products and tools, including literature, databases, specimens and equipment. 47. Development demands an explicit commitment to the development of science and technology for human benefit by, for example, developing national plans of action. Usually, this implies the adoption of programmes to support and strengthen publicly funded research, to develop partnerships with private enterprises and other actors, such as farmers in the context of food security, and to promote freedom of scientific research. 48. “Diffusion” encompasses the dissemination of scientific knowledge and applications both within the scientific community and in society at large, including through publishing research findings. As noted by UNESCO in the preamble to its recommendation on the status of scientific researchers, open communication of the results, hypotheses and opinions of research lie at the heart of the scientific process, and also provide the strongest guarantee of accuracy and objectivity of scientific results. The diffusion of science is a precondition for public participation in decision-making and essential for fostering further research, development and applications.50 C. The issue of limitations 49. The right to benefit from scientific progress and its applications, including scientific freedom, may be subjected to limitations, in accordance with relevant international standards. The Special Rapporteur recalls that such limitations must pursue a legitimate aim, be compatible with the nature of this right and be strictly necessary for the promotion of general welfare in a democratic society, in accordance with article 4 of the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Any limitations must be proportionate: the least restrictive measures must be taken when several types of limitations may be imposed. Furthermore, existing international human rights standards on limitations that can or cannot be legitimately imposed on rights intrinsically linked to the right to science, such as the 47 48 49 50 Wiebe E. Bijker, “The pubic and issues of science”, Hindu, 10 February 2011. Available from www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/article1200370.ece. Samir Nazareth, “Lessons from the Bt brinjal consultations”, February 2010, Infochange. Available from http://infochangeindia.org/agriculture/analysis/lessons-from-the-bt-brinjal-consultations.html. Submissions by Canada, Costa Rica, Germany, Mauritius and Spain. Venice Statement on the Right to Enjoy the Benefits of Scientific Progress and its Applications, para. 16(f). 13