The growing distrust among Americans towards scientists and their work is well documented. In an era in which scientific output doubles nearly every nine years, it is hard for even trained professionals to keep up with the latest scientific breakthroughs and developments in their own field, let alone in separate fields. The amount of research done is so extraordinary that distinguishing real science from “junk” science is a daunting task for even the most experienced researchers.
Amidst this backdrop, it is perhaps unsurprising that many Americans are losing faith in an institution that has been a sizable engine of economic growth, the driver of technological advancement, and solution to medical quandaries that have saved countless lives over the last century.
According to a recent Pew survey, there is a large opinion gap between the American public and scientists on the factual accuracy of issues ranging from the safety of GMOs to Darwinian evolution to the safety of childhood vaccines.
The scientific consensus regarding all of these issues is clearly not shared amongst a large number of Americans. Bridging the gap in these opinions will largely be the responsibility of scientists, who must restore faith in the public that science can answer—and not simply theorize—whether the Earth is warming, GMOs are safe, or childhood vaccines are a responsible public health measure.
The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion and analysis. Read full, original post: Young Americans’ Growing Distrust of Science
