[Perspicuity]

this may be a non-issue depending where you're from so feel free to broaden out.

In the UK there seems to be an issue with suppression of scientific debate and research. What are peoples thoughts on this topic.

[Darabe]

Perspicuity, on Jul 23 2006, 06:21 AM, said:

this may be a non-issue depending where you're from so feel free to broaden out.

In the UK there seems to be an issue with suppression of scientific debate and research. What are peoples thoughts on this topic.

Maybe there's something that those in control don't want you to know???

[Perspicuity]

Darabe, on Jul 24 2006, 12:09 AM, said:

Maybe there's something that those in control don't want you to know???

I think it is more complicated than a we know and it's a secret sort of thing. As best I can tell, the thinking goes like this, any scientific debate or ambiguity is misreported and simplified by the media to make it sound like there's definately a risk. Any risk to anyone when presented in this way by the media is deemed unacceptable to parents who then won't vaccinate their precious johnny. As soon as x% of parents don't vaccinate "herd immunity" collapses and the dieseases concerned can take a hold again. We can't change the way parents en masses react to news stories, we can't control the media - but we can clamp down on doctors and scientists because we give them money. Say the wrong thing or want to research the wrong thing and the money goes away. Science and medical opinion is forced / coerced into towing the party line - not a good thing imho. 

[Carver]

Perspicuity, on Jul 24 2006, 09:39 AM, said:

I think it is more complicated than a we know and it's a secret sort of thing. As best I can tell, the thinking goes like this, any scientific debate or ambiguity is misreported and simplified by the media to make it sound like there's definately a risk. Any risk to anyone when presented in this way by the media is deemed unacceptable to parents who then won't vaccinate their precious johnny. As soon as x% of parents don't vaccinate "herd immunity" collapses and the dieseases concerned can take a hold again. We can't change the way parents en masses react to news stories, we can't control the media - but we can clamp down on doctors and scientists because we give them money. Say the wrong thing or want to research the wrong thing and the money goes away. Science and medical opinion is forced / coerced into towing the party line - not a good thing imho. 

Perspicuity
I believe bottom feeding scientist come in three flavors:
1. SCIENCE FOR SALE “I’ll make up the science to fit your needs for a price”
2. HAVE THEORY WILL TRAVEL, “I’ll stick to my hair brained theory – they laughed at Thomas Edison too”,
3. THE AGENDA ABOVE ALL. “I’ll ignore and cherry pick the science to support a social agenda.”
All three are dangerous to a greater or lesser degree. The first is a prostitute, the second a loon, and the third is a single minded obsessive that perverts science. At the minimum, they confuse the issue in the public mind; at the worst they cause damage to the environment, public health and public policy.
The best way to combat these types is for the public and policy makers to rely only on peer reviewed research and treat non-reviewed research with a grain of salt.
Peace, Carver