Judges get crash course in science

linuxwrangler writes: A ship driven aground in a storm is leaking toxic chemicals. Just as cleanup crews are preparing to release genetically engineered bacteria to digest the chemical, environmental groups sue to stop the release claiming the DNA could transfer to natural bacteria and harm the environment. You are the judge and as the spill spreads, you need answers. Fast. That's just one of the scenarios tackled by judges participating in a crash course in science at Lawerence Berkeley Laboratory. The program is run by the Advanced Science and Technology Adjudication Resource Center. Participating judges were enthusiastic about the program. Rufus King, chief judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, commented, "Judges are empowered to do better, understand the issues better and guide the process better...Judges need to be gatekeepers to keep junk science out of the courtroom."