Tietealloste

Tietealloste is a Finnish term that translates literally to “scientific objection” or “scientific protest.” It refers to a formal statement or memorandum issued by scientific bodies, researchers, or professional societies to express disagreement with a policy, regulation, or public claim that they believe misrepresents scientific evidence. The concept is therefore a tool for the scientific community to participate in public debates and to safeguard the integrity of scientific knowledge.

The first documented use of the term emerged in the early 1990s in Finland, when several environmental scientists issued a collective tietealloste against a proposed industrial project that they argued would violate ecological standards. Since then, tietealloste has become a recognized instrument for contesting legislation, executive orders, or media reporting that the scientific community considers unfounded or harmful. The statements are usually signed by a group of experts and include concise summaries of the scientific evidence, references to peer‑reviewed literature, and a clear recommendation to the decision‑making body.

In practice, tietealloste has been used on a range of topics—from climate change mitigation and biodiversity protection to emerging technologies such as synthetic biology and artificial intelligence. Because the documents are formally organized yet largely accessible to the public, they play a role in bridging the gap between scientific research and policy formulation. Their influence has been noted in several cases where policy revisions were prompted or delayed after the release of a tietealloste. The practice remains a relatively informal, non‑legislative mechanism that reflects Finland’s strong tradition of public science communication and democratic participation.