Name: The danger of science denial
Uploaded: 2010-04-12T09:38:00Z
Duration: 16 min 12 s
Description: Vaccine-autism claims, "Frankenfood" bans, the herbal cure craze: All point to the public's growing fear (and, often, outright denial) of science and reason, says Michael Specter. He warns the trend spells disaster for human progress.

Vaccine-autism claims, "Frankenfood" bans, the herbal cure craze: All point to the public's growing fear (and, often, outright denial) of science and reason, says Michael Specter. He warns the trend spells disaster for human progress.

The danger of science denial

Advances like vaccines and modern agriculture have transformed global health and prosperity, yet fear and denial now threaten these gains. The belief that vaccines cause autism, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, has led to declining immunization rates and preventable deaths. Resistance to genetically engineered food and reliance on unproven remedies stem from mistrust and nostalgia, not science. At a time when a billion people go hungry and critical resources vanish, rejecting evidence puts lives and progress at risk.