War on Science

Sci^BlingChris Mooney has written an interesting book: The Republican War on Science.

I finally got around to reading it, just in time, as it were.

Seems a bit late, but I see Chris is still on book tour, and it is very current as a topic, plus it is now out in paperback.

War on Science is a book most scientists should read.
It was a hard book to read, mostly because the topic is somewhat depressing, but also to be fair (since this is a "review") because if could have used some editing to tighten up the text.
The book covers the history of government science advice very briefly, before reaching 1994 and the Gingrich Congress abolition of the Office of Technology Assessment.
The book then covers current scientific controversies, focusing on industrial influence on medical and environmental policy; climate change; and religious activist influence on contraception, stem-cell research and a little bit on evolution.

My main criticism of the book is that it is occasionally repetitive (hence the need for tighter editing); the author makes occasional stabs at "left wing science abuse", primary instances are exaggeration of some minor points, but it comes across as a token effort to balance the relentless criticism of right wing abuse, might as well have been left out at this level; and, most of the topics discussed are anecdotal evidence of bias, discrimination or violation of formal policy decision procedure.

But, the anecdotes are numerous and overwhelming, and make the point rather well, through subtle, and not so subtle, tactics, scientific advice to the government is being subverted, circumvented or suppressed. This is tremendously damaging to US policy making, and a fundemental subversion of democracy. In a representative democracy, an essential component is that facts be presented fully and truthfully to the representatives for policy decision, which is why giving false testimony to Congress is such a serious matter.

The book documents well the series of methods used to subvert or counter science. The opposition is adaptive and inventive, knowing past tactics may help people spot and counter some current and future attempts to subvert the process, but they will come up with new ways. Vigilance is essential.
The book is extensively footnoted, and seems well researched, although not all the subjects appear to have been willing to co-operate.

Well worth a read, if you want to know what is going on and what we are in for.

Doesn't seem to have made it across the pond yet. I lent my copy to a European science policy person...