5 questions: Paul Berg on ideology in science
An occasional feature in which a School of Medicine expert answers five questions on a science or policy topic of interest to the Stanford community

1. You’ve joined a distinguished group of scientists who charge that the Bush administration is attacking science on ideological grounds. What’s the evidence?

Berg: The Union of Concerned Scientists has provided a detailed recounting of the facts evidencing the conclusion that the administration has deflected, altered and even doctored reports by scientists that do not fit their policy agenda. [Visit www.ucsusa.org for more information.] The report, “Scientific Integrity in Policymaking,” focuses primarily on the physical and environmental sciences, although the influence of ideology -- religious and political -- to distort scientific evidence in the biological sciences, noticeably in the stem cell debate, has been rampant.

2. Doesn’t the Bush administration have the right to exert oversight over U.S. research and scientific priorities since so much public money is involved?

Berg: It certainly has that right but it also has an obligation to weigh the best scientific judgments, particularly ones the administration agencies have solicited, and not to alter or hide those judgments, especially from public scrutiny, in arriving at their policies.

3. What’s the impact when ideology captures scientific interests?

Berg: I fear that as science probes more deeply into human biology -- for example, in matters of human development, the extent of genetic determinism or probing at the brain/mind interface -- we shall encounter increasing resistance to implementing or even pursuing what is discovered.

4. The Georgia state school superintendent recently called for the removal of the word “evolution” from the state’s scientific curriculum. She has since backed off the decision. Does it surprise you that basic scientific theories are still greeted with skepticism in the 21st century?

Berg: Considering the failed state of our educational systems and the intrusion of religious beliefs into that system, I’m not surprised, but I am appalled and discouraged.

5. Besides manning the ramparts, what can others do to support this effort to restore scientific integrity?

Berg: Become informed and involved in public policy debates on issues that are threatening scientific integrity.