THIS is The Year of Science, so there couldn't be a better time for Riding Lights' Roughshod company to premiere Science Friction.

"What people fear is the potential for science to harm," says Paul Burbridge, artistic director of the Christian theatre company, whose new production will be launched at their York headquarters next week. The play is then on tour until July in tandem with Reality Strikes Twice.

"About 18 months ago, we decided that at some point we should do a play on a scientific theme and then, for the last couple of months, every time you open a newspaper or turn on the TV, you find this explosion at the coal face of science.

"With the BBC2 series How To Build A Human and Bitter Experience, it's all bubbled up for us at just the right time."

In Science Friction, Riding Lights examines a world where scientists are accused of playing God. In the face of Dolly the arthritic sheep, keyhole surgery, 'star wars', GM foods and the human genome project, Bridget Foreman's devised play asks the question: "How can we combine the volatile elements of scientific discovery, faith and moral responsibility?"

"Our motivation behind Science Friction is to say 'Look, science is a fantastic area of human endeavour, able to deliver extraordinary things on which we are dependent, and yet there is a problem: the more we, as lay people, are able to understand what science can do, the more the red light goes on and we worry about the motives of big companies."

The Church and the world of science have often been deeply opposed, unable to speak a common language amid mutual suspicion rather than respect. Science Friction seeks common ground, where the need for scientific development is married to moral and social responsibility.

"My personal view is that we should encourage scientific research but my caution goes alongside that: knowledge shouldn't be pursued for knowledge's sake as, so often, scientific breakthroughs have been seized upon by people with dangerous motives that will damage the world," says Paul.

He believes that moral and religious implications should contribute to any scientific debate in order to keep pace with science.

"Most of us in the world just watch the headlines; we don't know who is in control or what the motives are, and the truth is that science is ahead of restrictive legislation. We have to ask the question whether any scientific research should be restricted before it is completed or whether legislation should be put in place with hindsight."

Science Friction ponders whether the wonder of scientific discovery can be recaptured, or whether we have been misled by the media into seeing all scientists as dangerous Dr Frankensteins, who create ever more terrifying monsters with no thought to the consequences.

To undertake that study, the play turns the microscope on Galileo, the great 16th and 17th century scientist, and his investigation into the universe.

"Look at the brilliance of what he did, and yet there was the tragedy of his personal life. There was such conflict with the authorities of the day who felt they had to gag him as he was shaking the foundation of every political and social structure: the very fabric of society," says Paul.

Science Friction also draws a parallel between the biogenetic pursuit of outward, bodily perfection and the religious pursuit of inner perfection of the soul through devotion to God and prayer.

"It's a pursuit that most of us don't understand," Paul suggests.

"Ultimately what we're doing with Science Friction is encouraging people faced with this massive issue to sit where the scientist might sit; the journalist might sit, the philosopher might sit; the person of faith; and the individual with concerns for the right to the glory of being individual rather than part of a pursuit of the perfect human being."

Paul believes the key to inspiring trust and respect for science is generosity of spirit and concern for welfare.

"Ultimately, it's not politics that makes the world go round but generosity, but for a lot of people that's a very nebulous concept."

Science versus nature, Creation versus Evolution, commercial greed versus human need, the debate will go on and on.

Riding Lights Roughshod's Science Friction runs from February 5 to 9 at Friargate Theatre, Lower Friargate, York, at 7.30pm nightly. Tickets for the first three days are sold out. Tickets for York: £5, concessions £3.50; ring 0845 961 3000.

Updated: 09:08 Friday, February 01, 2002