Journalist Chris Mooney addressed Cabot Auditorium last night on the "erosion of science in modern [American] politics."
"A huge gulf has opened between Republican leaders and leaders in science," Mooney said.
Mooney, who has worked as both a political and science journalist, is the author of the recently-published "The Republican War on Science."
He provided numerous examples of ways the Republican party "ignores or distorts scientific findings to appease special interest groups, [including religious groups] and corporate donors."
According to Mooney, the Republican party injects doubt into scientific consensus through "well-funded think tanks that attack mainstream conclusions and create the perception that there are two credible sides to the issue."
He refined his argument by conceding that the political left will sometimes tilt science to suit its purposes, but held that the Republicans of the present administration are "vastly more guilty" of such offenses.
Mooney also discussed the possibility that information provided by government organizations such as the Food and Drug Administration, the Center for Disease Control and even NASA is somehow tainted by politicians in the Bush Administration.
Specific attention was paid to the intelligent design, a theory stating that "certain features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an intelligent cause, not an undirected process such as natural selection."
Mooney called recent controversy over the teaching of intelligent design "an anti-evolutionary brushfire sweeping the nation."
Though scientists say intelligent design has little, if any, scientific credibility, the well-placed and well-funded Discovery Institute has supported and publicized intelligent design, sparking new controversy about the teaching and legitimacy of evolutionary theory.
Due to misinformation in many spheres of science, Mooney said, "Congress is now flying blind on matters of science and technology."
The conclusion of his talk involved a long list of measures that could reverse these developments. "Restoring the integrity of science in America is a daunting task," Mooney said.
He proposed a scientific integrity bill that would help provide "freedom of speech and whistle-blowing capabilities to scientific advisory committees."
Mooney also offered advice to the media.
"Reporters should consider the fact that there is no scientific controversy over global warming or evolution," he said. "The media gives the idea that it's a 50-50 balance of opinion. Reporters should contextualize the outliers in the scientific community."
Mooney addressed his final comments to the scientific community, urging them to simplify their findings to make them more accessible to the public. "They need...to learn how to describe their message to someone they've met in a cocktail party," he said.
A reception was held after an active question and answer session.
Mooney attributed his interest in this topic to his grandfather, "an evolutionist who was always trying to protect evolution from the creationists."
"I am a believer in the enlightenment," Mooney said, "and I think that if we get the information right, then we will be more likely to get the decision right, too."
The lecture was sponsored by the Fletcher School for Law and Diplomacy.
