Comments on: The price for scientific ignorance will be liberty itself http://www.desipundit.com/ashutosh/2007/12/08/the-price-for-scientific-ignorance-will-be-liberty-itself/ Inspired by those who ask "why?" and dedicated to those who say "because..." Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:19:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Retrocessos evolutivos « Notas ao café… http://www.desipundit.com/ashutosh/2007/12/08/the-price-for-scientific-ignorance-will-be-liberty-itself/comment-page-1/#comment-288 Retrocessos evolutivos « Notas ao café… Thu, 27 Dec 2007 03:19:04 +0000 http://www.desipundit.com/ashutosh/2007/12/08/the-price-for-scientific-ignorance-will-be-liberty-itself/#comment-288 [...] este problema. Não deixa de ser curioso que a guerra criacionismo versus evolução tem início no esforço do presidente Eisenhower de combater o atraso científico americano. Mas com George W. Bush parece [...] [...] este problema. Não deixa de ser curioso que a guerra criacionismo versus evolução tem início no esforço do presidente Eisenhower de combater o atraso científico americano. Mas com George W. Bush parece [...]

]]> By: Ashutosh http://www.desipundit.com/ashutosh/2007/12/08/the-price-for-scientific-ignorance-will-be-liberty-itself/comment-page-1/#comment-273 Ashutosh Sun, 09 Dec 2007 00:45:06 +0000 http://www.desipundit.com/ashutosh/2007/12/08/the-price-for-scientific-ignorance-will-be-liberty-itself/#comment-273 Thanks for the links. I cannot but help think that Krauthammer has a massive axe to grind and probably wants some big favour from Bush. What he says about Bush actually inspiring stem-cell research is inane and quoted by other right-wingers. As the rebuttal noted, nor do his words about Bush's "moral stand" hold water, since as we noted, not pursuing such research can be reasonably gauged to be as immoral if not more. I was also glad to note that the rebuttal noted how Krauthammer paints a utopian picture of the science, as if now all our problems are solved. This is a dilemma, I agree. If such supposedly distinguished people write such ridiculous defenses in distinguished newspapers, what is the common man going to trust? I don't think there's a one-step or even clear-cut answer, except for scientists and secular thinkers to keep their struggle against such spin-doctoring on and propelled forward. There should be more books and more rebuttals, that's for sure. Thanks for the links. I cannot but help think that Krauthammer has a massive axe to grind and probably wants some big favour from Bush. What he says about Bush actually inspiring stem-cell research is inane and quoted by other right-wingers. As the rebuttal noted, nor do his words about Bush’s “moral stand” hold water, since as we noted, not pursuing such research can be reasonably gauged to be as immoral if not more. I was also glad to note that the rebuttal noted how Krauthammer paints a utopian picture of the science, as if now all our problems are solved.
This is a dilemma, I agree. If such supposedly distinguished people write such ridiculous defenses in distinguished newspapers, what is the common man going to trust? I don’t think there’s a one-step or even clear-cut answer, except for scientists and secular thinkers to keep their struggle against such spin-doctoring on and propelled forward. There should be more books and more rebuttals, that’s for sure.

]]> By: Chetan http://www.desipundit.com/ashutosh/2007/12/08/the-price-for-scientific-ignorance-will-be-liberty-itself/comment-page-1/#comment-272 Chetan Sun, 09 Dec 2007 00:15:43 +0000 http://www.desipundit.com/ashutosh/2007/12/08/the-price-for-scientific-ignorance-will-be-liberty-itself/#comment-272 Charles Krauthammer, a neocon who writes columns for Washington Post had published <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/29/AR2007112901878.html" rel="nofollow">this piece</a> immediately after the successful research finding on embryo-free stem cell production. Just like his columns on Iraq war, it is an egregious example of spin control. What is more tragic is that he is a doctor from Harvard, a psychiatrist who also is a paraplegic and as such should have a vested interest in stem cell research. Yet, you see him defend Bush. It is completely incomprehensible to me. (To his credit, he himself wasn't opposed to funding to those using embryos discarded by fertility clinics. Also, he supports evolution, which is good to know since he has the President's ear)Given the fact that he sounds so convincing, how is the public, already not too familiar with the science behind it, going to know about the lost opportunities due to such a disastrous policy. I was happy that Washington Post <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/02/AR2007120201636.html" rel="nofollow">ran a rebuttal</a> to Krauthammer's column, which put the debate in proper perspective. Charles Krauthammer, a neocon who writes columns for Washington Post had published this piece immediately after the successful research finding on embryo-free stem cell production. Just like his columns on Iraq war, it is an egregious example of spin control. What is more tragic is that he is a doctor from Harvard, a psychiatrist who also is a paraplegic and as such should have a vested interest in stem cell research. Yet, you see him defend Bush. It is completely incomprehensible to me. (To his credit, he himself wasn’t opposed to funding to those using embryos discarded by fertility clinics. Also, he supports evolution, which is good to know since he has the President’s ear)Given the fact that he sounds so convincing, how is the public, already not too familiar with the science behind it, going to know about the lost opportunities due to such a disastrous policy.

I was happy that Washington Post ran a rebuttal to Krauthammer’s column, which put the debate in proper perspective.

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