05 June 2015

Scientists, don't talk down to the the public

GM mosquitos designed to prevent outbreaks of dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever might be a great idea. (article here)

And I agree that “Some people don’t want to see GE (genetically engineered) anything,” says entomologist Raymond St. Leger, distinguished university professor at the University of Maryland. “It’s an emotional response. It’s hard to reason people out of a decision they didn’t reason themselves into.”

BUT when scientists say things like “The anti-GM mosquito, sterile-insect people have become a lunatic fringe,” says Miller of UC Riverside. “They have no argument that makes any sense.”

Then I think they've failed everyone and lost the argument. If you can't find common ground, then resorting to name-calling (stupid, uninformed, lunatic) is lazy and incompetent.

Please scientists, use your intelligence to frame your understanding of science in a way that can make sense to people. Don't be a boor.