Elon Musk sparks row at Royal Society but remains a member

Elon Musk, the well-known billionaire and entrepreneur, has ignited a significant debate among the members of the Royal Society, a prestigious scientific institution in the United Kingdom. Over the past several months, many scientists have expressed their concerns regarding Musk's behavior, which they believe poses a threat to the integrity of science. This controversy has led to calls for the Royal Society to take a stronger stance in advocating for science and the scientific community. During a recent meeting, the society's members decided against expelling Musk, but the discussions have thrust the organization into a politically charged environment. Musk's membership was granted due to his remarkable contributions to technology through his companies, Tesla and SpaceX. However, a growing number of fellows within the Royal Society argue that Musk's actions are inconsistent with the society's code of conduct. They point to his role in implementing significant funding cuts to scientific research in the United States while serving in President Trump's Department of Government Efficiency. Additionally, Musk has faced accusations of disseminating misinformation on his social media platform, X. Following the meeting, the Royal Society released a statement acknowledging the concerns raised by its members, particularly regarding the future of scientists in the US amid potential drastic reductions in research funding. The society has committed to exploring further actions to combat misinformation and ideological attacks on science and scientists. A letter is expected to be sent to Musk addressing these pressing issues. The Royal Society has a long and storied history, having been founded in 1660, and it has not expelled a member in 250 years. The last member to be removed was German scientist Rudolf Erich Raspe, who faced accusations of theft and fraud. The current situation surrounding Musk could mark a pivotal moment in the society's history, as it grapples with internal divisions caused by his public statements and actions. In response to the controversy, two prominent scientists have resigned their fellowships in protest: Dr. Dorothy Bishop from Oxford University and Professor Andrew Millar from the University of Edinburgh. Furthermore, over 3,300 scientists have signed a letter, authored by Professor Stephen Curry, an emeritus professor of structural biology at Imperial College London, expressing their deep concerns about Musk's fellowship and the society's apparent inaction regarding the issue. Professor Curry expressed his satisfaction that the society convened to discuss these concerns but voiced disappointment over the brevity of the statement released afterward, which he felt failed to address the core issue of Musk's behavior. Dr. Bishop, the first fellow to resign, revealed that she had raised her concerns with the Royal Society on two occasions last year, leading to consultations with lawyers, which may indicate apprehension about potential legal ramifications. With more than 1,700 fellows in the Royal Society, over 60 have signed Professor Curry's letter, and many others have voiced their concerns about Musk's conduct. However, there are also members who oppose the idea of revoking Musk's membership. Some academics and researchers argue that while Musk may be an unconventional figure, his achievements far surpass those of his critics within the Royal Society. Nobel Prize winner Professor Sir Andre Geim from Manchester University stated, 'Musk is certainly an eccentric, but his achievements beat those of any of his critics in the Royal Society. ' Other scientists have cautioned that attempting to remove Musk could be perceived as political interference and a restriction of free speech. Nevertheless, Professor George Efstathiou from the University of Cambridge dismissed this argument, asserting that members should prioritize respect for the truth. He emphasized that if someone disregards the truth and makes blatantly false statements, it reflects poorly on their ethical standards, which is not a political matter. The Royal Society's mission is to promote scientific knowledge and understanding, and its members are grappling with the implications of Musk's actions on that mission. Fiona Fox, the chief executive of the Science Media Centre, expressed her concerns about the current state of the scientific community in the US, highlighting alarming trends such as the removal of data sets and the suppression of information. She questioned whether expelling Musk would align with the Royal Society's goals of advancing scientific research and education. Fox described the situation as 'terrifying,' noting that there is a climate of fear where individuals are self-censoring. As of now, Musk has not responded to requests for comments from BBC News sent through his companies, Tesla and SpaceX.