A/HRC/55/44 C. Restrictions resulting from the privatization of science 78. Although the influx of private funds in science allows for major achievements in all fields, enabling scientists to work in their chosen fields unhindered by budgets or political pressure, States must protect science, understood as a common good, and the right to access to and participation in science from powerful commercial and private interests. The primary quest of commercial actors for profit rather than social justice means that they must be guided by clear limits and strong public bodies to ensure an overall inclusive approach to science. The well-meaning attempts of public bodies to collaborate with the private sector must not result in the dilution of scientific freedom and the overlooking of public needs. 93 Intellectual property rights, the overpublicization of science to attract more so-called clients or funding and the commodification of knowledge must be counterbalanced by States with clear priorities and policies based on human rights. On the one hand, the State must not be allowed to asphyxiate any scientific expression, while on the other, unregulated private greed must not be allowed to limit science to the few. The balance is difficult but absolutely necessary to ensure that the multilayered right to science is materialized. D. Instrumentalization of science 79. Science, even though historically and culturally situated, is not to be ideologically and politically loaded or manipulated.94 Care is required to ensure that specific actors do not circumvent or contaminate scientific discourse or use scientific or pseudoscientific discourse in a manipulative way for particular ends. For example, reports indicate that climate change deniers and fossil fuel companies have, for decades, actively undermined climate action by the manipulation of public opinion through the selective presentation and active suppression of information or have manipulated public opinion through providing funding to science museums and exhibitions. 95 Private organizations and lobbying groups, through the multiplication of so-called scientific publications, aim to foment doubt regarding scientific results and delay policy decisions that may run against their interests. Furthermore, misinformation and disinformation cast doubt on scientific results and smear credible processes and scientists. E. Restrictions based on morality 80. In some States, there is a clear reluctance to take into consideration scientific advancements to inform policy developments and decision-making based on uncritical principles of morality. 81. For example, comprehensive sexual education is being restricted in States even though it is underlined in the International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education: An Evidence-Informed Approach 96 that such education is scientifically accurate, with substantive content that improves attitudes relating to sexual and reproductive health and behaviours, promotes knowledge of one’s body, fosters well-being and promotes gender equality. Yet, continuous narratives spread misplaced fears of teaching that do not stand to clear scientific evidence. 82. Women are particularly targeted by pseudoscience put forward by those who want to maintain control over them. Attempts to restrict access to medication abortion are made with 93 94 95 96 18 Canadian Association of University Teachers, Open For Business: On What Terms? (Ottawa, 2013). See contribution from the Observatorio de Derechos Humanos de la Universidad de Los Andes, Venezuela. See contribution from Curating Tomorrow. UNESCO, Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, United Nations Population Fund, United Nations Children’s Fund, United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women) and World Health Organization, International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education: An Evidence-Informed Approach (Paris, 2018). GE.24-01813