The Disregard of Science and the Responsibility of Scientists

Alan Kaylor ClineDepartment of Computer

SciencesThe University of Texas at

AustinDecember 6, 2012

Two Stories of Carolyn• At her middle school’s Parent’s Night, her science

teacher described a project where students drew pictures of the creation of the world. “Anything was OK,” she said.

Two Stories of Carolyn• At her middle school’s Parent’s Night, her science

teacher described a project where students drew pictures of the creation of the world. “Anything was OK,” she said.

• In her high school biology class, a student asked “Why do humans not have bones in their outer ears?”.

Two Stories of Carolyn• At her middle school’s Parent’s Night, her science

teacher described a project where students drew pictures of the creation of the world. “Anything was OK,” she said.

• In her high school biology class, a student asked “Why do humans not have bones in their outer ears?”. The teacher responded “I guess that’s just the way God made us.”

Two Stories of Carolyn• At her middle school’s Parent’s Night, her science

teacher described a project where students drew pictures of the creation of the world. “Anything was OK,” she said.

• In her high school biology class, a student asked “Why do humans not have bones in their outer ears?”. The teacher responded “I guess that’s just the way God made us.” The principal said “That’s an OK answer.”

1. Science is not understood.

2. Science is not accepted.

3. Science is not supported.

4. Science is undercut by politicians.

1. Science is not understood.

• Science is taught in elementary and high schools as formulas and facts – not as experimentation and inquiry.

• The scientific method is one more fact to be memorized.

• Even out of schools, Occam’s Razor is ignored.

1. Science is not understood.

• Science is taught in elementary and high schools as formulas and facts – not as experimentation and inquiry.

• The scientific method is one more fact to be memorized.

• Even out of schools, Occam’s Razor is ignored. Lights in the sky are UFOs.

1. Science is not understood.Some examples

• Risk is inevitable part of life yet:

From October to December 2001, the number of car accident deaths nationwide climbed by more than 1,000 over the same period a year earlier because fears of terrorism on airplanes had increased car travel.

1. Science is not understood.Some examples

• Risk is inevitable part of life yet:

The “morning after pill” Plan B was not approved by the FDA because it was claimed (by FDA administrators) the manufacturer had not proven it was safe for 16 year olds to buy over the counter.

1. Science is not understood.Some examples

• Risk is inevitable part of life yet: The “morning after pill” Plan B was not approved

by the FDA because it was claimed (by FDA administrators) the manufacturer had not proven it was safe for 16 year olds to buy over the counter.

What was not considered was the alternative risk of pregnancy for 16 year olds.

2. Science is not accepted.

Consider these beliefs found by the Gallup Organization in a survey of 1003 American adults from March 6 to March 8, 2005

Astrology - 25% believers

0.00% 20.00% 40.00% 60.00% 80.00% 100.00%

Believe in

Not sure about

Don't believe in

DON'T KNOW

REFUSED

Communication with the Dead – 21%

0.00% 20.00% 40.00% 60.00% 80.00% 100.00%

Believe in

Not sure about

Don't believe in

Don't know

Refused

ETs visited Earth - 24%

0.00% 20.00% 40.00% 60.00% 80.00% 100.00%

Believe in

Not sure about

Don't believe in

DON'T KNOW

REFUSED

Mental Telepathy – 31%0.00% 20.00% 40.00% 60.00% 80.00% 100.00%

Believe in

Not sure about

Don't believe in

Don't know

Refused

ESP – 41%

0.00% 20.00% 40.00% 60.00% 80.00% 100.00%

Believe in

Not sure about

Don't believe in

DON'T KNOW

REFUSED

Ghosts – 32%0.00% 20.00% 40.00% 60.00% 80.00% 100.00%

Believe in

Not sure about

Don't believe in

Don't know

Refused

Haunted Houses – 37%

0.00% 20.00% 40.00% 60.00% 80.00% 100.00%

Believe in

Not sure about

Don't believe in

DON'T KNOW

REFUSED

People are Possessed by the Devil – 42%

0.00% 20.00% 40.00% 60.00% 80.00% 100.00%

Believe in

Not sure about

Don't believe in

Don't know

Refused

You may find those beliefs harmless

(although I don’t), but how about this?

Gallup Polls: 1999-2004

• I'm going to read you a list of environmental problems. As I read each one, please tell me if you personally worry about this problem a great deal, a fair amount, only a little, or not at all. How much do you personally worry about...Damage to the earth's ozone layer?

Ozone Layer Problem?

0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

70.00%

80.00%

90.00%

100.00%

200420032002200120001999

A great deal/A fairamount

Only a little/Not at all

Ozone Layer Problem?

0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

70.00%

80.00%

90.00%

100.00%

200420032002200120001999

A great deal/A fairamount

Only a little/Not at all

That is, the worries decreased as the ozone was depleted.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/126560/americans-global-warming-concerns-continue-drop.aspx

and how about this?

Harris Poll: June 17-21, 2005n = 885 adults

Which of the following do you believe about how human beings came to be? Human beings evolved from earlier species. Human beings were created directly by God. Human beings are so complex that they required a powerful force or intelligent being to help create them.

0.00% 10.00% 20.00% 30.00% 40.00% 50.00% 60.00% 70.00% 80.00% 90.00% 100.00%

evolved from earlier species

created directly by God

so complex that powerful force orintelligent being to create

unsure

64%

22%

0.00% 10.00% 20.00% 30.00% 40.00% 50.00% 60.00% 70.00% 80.00% 90.00% 100.00%

evolved from earlier species

created directly by God

so complex that powerful force orintelligent being to create

unsure

Which as we know has led to …

http://www.gallup.com/poll/155003/hold-creationist-view-human-origins.aspx

Harris Poll: June 17-21, 2005n = 885 adults

Regardless of what you may personally believe, which of these do you believe should be taught in public schools?

• Evolution only, • Creationism only, • Intelligent design only, • All three.

0.00% 20.00% 40.00% 60.00% 80.00% 100.00%

evolution only

creationism only

intelligent designonly

all three

none of these

unsure

12%

23%

4%

55%

3%

3%

3. Science is not supported.

There’s money and there’s ideas

Money:http://www.aaas.org/spp/rd/trres09p.pdf

http://www.aaas.org/spp/rd/trrdgdp09.pdf

Trends in R&D by Agency

Trends in Federal R&D, FY 1976-2013

Trends in Nondefense R&D

Trends in Basic Research by Agency, FY 1976-2013

3. Science is not supported.

News Media: Promote the notion that truth is obtained

through advocacy of two sides,

Use “sound bites” that encourages simplistic reasoning,

Conduct “interviews” with pre-written questions and allow non-responses to pass.

3. Science is not supported.

News Media: Promote the notion that truth is obtained

through advocacy of two sides,

Use “sound bites” that encourages simplistic reasoning,

Conduct “interviews” with pre-written questions and allow non-responses to pass.

None of that directly involves science but it does affect the public’s notion of expectations for

rational thinking.

Daily Headlines:• Feds Drop Boreal Toad From Protected List • Global sea levels could rise 30 cm by 2100- study • House to Act on Endangered Species Law • Warming causes record Arctic ice melt: U.S. report• US policy hinders global space cooperation -report• Bush set to shun G8 allies on global warming• Senate Rejects Greenhouse Gas Limits • How high-pressure politics threatens action on climate • ACLU Says Bush Is Restricting Science• Experts question medical ethics at Guantanamo

4. Science is undercut by politicians.

“Preeminent Scientists Protest Bush Administration's Misuse of Science

- Nobel Laureates, National Medal of Science Recipients, and Other Leading Researchers Call

for End to Scientific Abuses”

Union of Concerned Scientists February 18, 2004

4. Science is undercut by politicians.

“Preeminent Scientists Protest Bush Administration's Misuse of Science

- Nobel Laureates, National Medal of Science Recipients, and Other Leading Researchers Call

for End to Scientific Abuses”

Union of Concerned Scientists February 18, 2004

They allege:

Agency Abuses: The Environment • Deleting Scientific Advice on Endangered Salmon: Scientists asked to remove

science-based recommendations from an official report• Endangered Species: Florida Panther, Bull Trout, Trumpeter Swans: Research

at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is distorted and suppressed• Mountaintop Removal Mining: Administration officials intentionally

disregard extensive scientific study on mountaintop removal in Appalachia  • Climate Change: Administration officials undermined science behind climate

change by suppressing reports and publicly misrepresenting scientific consensus

• Mercury Emissions: White House suppressed information about the impact of mercury on public health

• Multiple Air Pollutants: The Environmental Protection Agency withheld an analysis showing the benefits of a bipartisan alternative to President Bush's Clear Skies Act

• The Endangered Species Act: Administration officials are manipulating the scientific underpinnings of the policy making process

• Forest Management: A "review team" primarily composed of non-scientists overruled a science-based plan for managing old-growth forest habitat and reducing fire risk

Agency Abuses: Public Health

• Emergency Contraception: FDA appointees overruled staff scientists and two independent advisory panels to deny access to emergency contraception

• Abstinence-only Education: The Administration has obscured scientific evaluation of abstinence-only education programs and pressured scientists to promote abstinence.

• HIV/AIDS Education: The CDC was ordered to change its website to raise scientifically questionable doubt about the effectiveness of condoms in preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS.

• Airborne Bacteria: A microbiologist was prohibited at least 11 times from publishing research on airborne bacteria originating from farm wastes.

• Breast Cancer: Information suggesting a link between abortion and breast cancer was posted on a National Cancer Institute website despite objections from staff scientists.

Science Advisory Committees • Fogarty International Center Advisory Board: Qualified scientists, including a Nobel

Laureate, were rejected after being subjected to political litmus tests.• President's Council on Bioethics: Two leading scientists were dismissed from the panel

because of dissenting opinions on the ethics of biomedical research.• Arms Control Panel: A scientific committee that advised the State Department on matters

of arms control was dismissed and never reappointed.• Army Science Board: An engineer was rejected from a panel because of a contribution to

John McCain's 2000 presidential bid.• National Nuclear Security Administration Panel: A committee set up to advise the

administration on scientific issues regarding the maintenance nation's nuclear weapons stockpile and the design and testing of new nuclear warheads was dismissed.

• NIH: Drug Abuse Panel: Potential panel members were asked if they voted for President Bush.

• Lead Poisoning Prevention Panel: Staff-recommended scientists are rejected from a panel considering acceptable levels of lead in drinking water and replaced by appointees with financial ties to the lead industry.

• Workplace Safety Panel: Well-qualified scientists were rejected from a panel that evaluates grants for workplace injuries because of their support for a workplace ergonomics standard.

• Reproductive Health Advisory Committee: An underqualified nominee was suggested as chair of an FDA committee on reproductive health despite scant credentials and highly partisan political views.

Was There Hope?

For everywhere we look, there is work to be done.  The state of our economy calls for action, bold and swift.  And we will act, not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth.  We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together.  We'll restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost.  We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories.  And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age.  All this we can do.  All this we will do.

Pres. Barak Obama: Inauguration Speech

Jan. 21, 2009

Was There Hope? (cont.)

For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness.  We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and non-believers.  We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth;…

Pres. Barak Obama: Inauguration Speech

Jan. 21, 2009

Is there confusion?• These are science questions:

– Is this drug safe?– Is this species endangered?– Is this chemical toxic?

Is there confusion?• These are science questions:

– Is this drug safe?– Is this species endangered?– Is this chemical toxic?

• These are public policy questions:– Will the use of this drug offend a constituency?– Should we develop this land?– Should we force this plant to clean up?

Is there confusion?• These are science questions:

– Is this drug safe?– Is this species endangered?– Is this chemical toxic?

• These are public policy questions:– Will the use of this drug offend a constituency?– Should we develop this land?– Should we force this plant to clean up?

Must the two be conflicted?

What Can We Do?

• Stop treating anti-scientists as retarded

What Can We Do?

• Stop treating anti-scientists as retarded

Confront them

What Can We Do?

Explain to creationists that far more science than evolutionary biology must be rejected if a literal interpretation of the bible is accepted:

• Astronomy – few stars are within 6,000 light years of earth• Biology – how long would it have taken Noah to collect

every species?• Physics – could a ship big enough to hold every species be

constructed from wood?• Chemistry – what’s the error with carbon dating?• Geology – can all these rocks be so young?

What Can We Do?

Ask proponents of intelligent design:

Who designed the designer?

What Can We Do?

Ask proponents of intelligent design:

Who designed the designer?

Either they fall into a cyclical logical fallacyOr

They have to rely upon a god (which is what they claim the theory of intelligent design avoids)

What Can We Do?

In education:• Speak to teachers and administrators when anti-

science is practiced,

What Can We Do?

In education:• Speak to teachers and administrators when anti-

science is practiced,• Get the PTAs to help,

What Can We Do?

In education:• Speak to teachers and administrators when anti-

science is practiced,• Get the PTAs to help,• Run for school boards.

What Can We Do?

As citizen scientists:• Write letters to newspapers calling

anti-science to their attention,

What Can We Do?

As citizen scientists:• Write letters to newspapers calling

anti-science to their attention,• Establish relationships with reporters,

What Can We Do?

As citizen scientists:• Write letters to newspapers calling anti-

science to their attention,• Establish relationships with reporters,• Appear on TV interview shows,

What Can We Do?

As citizen scientists:• Write letters to newspapers calling anti-

science to their attention,• Establish relationships with reporters,• Appear on TV interview shows,• Join AAAS and the Union of Concerned

Scientists, and

What Can We Do?

As citizen scientists:• Write letters to newspapers calling anti-

science to their attention,• Establish relationships with reporters,• Appear on TV interview shows,• Join AAAS and the Union of Concerned

Scientists,• Get off our butts – our livelihood is at stake.