# Are some scientific theories so harmful they should be suppressed? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 28, 2020, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-some-scientific-theories-so-harmful-they-should-be-suppressed/926672 "2020-11-28T14:20:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-some-scientific-theories-so-harmful-they-should-be-suppressed/926672/141 "2020-12-01T14:07:29Z")
If there were some finding that suggested whites’ innate intelligence is lower than other races (putting aside my previous objections on why that wouldn’t happen), you likely wouldn’t hear about it. After all, the human genome project found several things that didn’t fit the popular narrative of race; that humans are genetically _lacking_ in diversity. And that almost all human genetic diversity is contained within Africa. How many people, let alone how many racists, are aware of observations like that? ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-some-scientific-theories-so-harmful-they-should-be-suppressed/926672/142 "2020-12-01T14:13:18Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > The problem is, being anti GMO is not limited to one ideology. Criminal acts such as destruction of GMO test fields seem to be the province of activists on the Left. There are certainly examples of right-wing actions to suppress ideologically unacceptable research, such as the Trump Administration’s attempts to hamstring fetal tissue research by making it go through an “ethics” committee for approval (which happens to be heavily staffed by antiabortion types). Overall, while the Left can take some pride in the fact that its political leaders are considerably less hostile to science than their rightist counterparts, there’s still plenty of work to be done in ensuring that science is not viewed through an ideological prism. ---
**Author:** ![DemonTree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/demontree/32/8646_2.png) [@DemonTree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DemonTree)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-some-scientific-theories-so-harmful-they-should-be-suppressed/926672/143 "2020-12-01T14:18:29Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > After all, the human genome project found several things that didn’t fit the popular narrative of race; that humans are genetically _lacking_ in diversity. And that almost all human genetic diversity is contained within Africa. > How many people, let alone how many racists, are aware of observations like that? It was certainly reported; I was aware of it. How many people paid attention is a different question. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-some-scientific-theories-so-harmful-they-should-be-suppressed/926672/144 "2020-12-01T14:32:10Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Overall, while the Left can take some pride in the fact that its political leaders are considerably less hostile to science than their rightist counterparts, there’s still plenty of work to be done in ensuring that science is not viewed through an ideological prism. It will be interesting to see who gets in line for the Covid-19 vaccine and who screams about Freedom! and it being a plot by Bill Gates and Deep State to plant mind control chips into the population. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-some-scientific-theories-so-harmful-they-should-be-suppressed/926672/145 "2020-12-01T14:51:41Z")
> [@DemonTree](#): > > It was certainly reported; I was aware of it. Sure, as was I, obviously. My point is it didn’t get much traction since it didn’t fit with preconceived notions. If we had found that humans actually have four radically different groups, conforming to black, white, asian and native american, say, it would be common knowledge. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-some-scientific-theories-so-harmful-they-should-be-suppressed/926672/146 "2020-12-01T15:21:18Z")
Well, it was “common knowledge” before it became antiquated knowledge. I feel like basic intro to biology in most elementary and middle schools is teaching the latest facts about the human genome. Old racists can’t be compelled to go back to school or learn things they don’t want to know, but kids being taught now won’t have the same misunderstanding of the human genome that their parents did. ---
**Author:** ![Crane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crane/32/3495_2.png) [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-some-scientific-theories-so-harmful-they-should-be-suppressed/926672/147 "2020-12-01T16:46:45Z")
The point is that mundane items have serious applications. The single chip computer used in many Mattel games was also the heart of the FU139 programmable fuze that was widely used in Desert Storm. The garage door opener that was available through distribution was an excellent remote detonator for land mines. These are applications rather than theories but so is much of what is discussed up thread. The goodness or badness of these theories and applications is a value judgement. In the 1960s there was much discussion about the ethics of developing neutron weapons. These were imagined as weapons that did no physical damage but killed all living things. So, you could drop a neutron bomb one day and occupy an undamaged city the next. The ideal Capitalist weapon. The discussion made crisp distinctions. The reality is far more complex. At the time neutron weapons were seen as a defense against a soviet tank attack on western Europe. A low yield, neutron rich bomb could spread neutrons over the path of invading hordes of tanks. Trouble is the tanks shield the occupants from the neutrons, But, the neutrons activate the spent uranium that is used in the tank armor causing the tank crews and maintenance personnel to become ill and slowly die from radiation - long after they had completed any invasion. So, the ethical discussion was far removed from the realities that influenced development and demise of some neutron weapons. Suppression of scientific theories and discoveries is impractical and based on value judgements. Should we have suppressed the discovery of bacteria because it could lead to biological weapons? I think not. ---
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-some-scientific-theories-so-harmful-they-should-be-suppressed/926672/148 "2020-12-01T17:03:31Z")
Probably comparable to the number of people who will go the “natural” route plus those who distrust anything from the Trump administration. Vaccine hesitancy knows no politics. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-some-scientific-theories-so-harmful-they-should-be-suppressed/926672/149 "2020-12-01T17:11:03Z")
Well, anti-vaxxers are a lunatic fringe all their own. But I’m not familiar with any fringe who thinks this is a vaccine to be avoided because it’s “from the Trump administration”. ---
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-some-scientific-theories-so-harmful-they-should-be-suppressed/926672/150 "2020-12-01T17:32:32Z")
There are a couple of people in my circle who are leary. Here’s an article on hesitancy among healthcare workers: [COVID-19 Vaccines Make Some Health Care Workers Wary : Shots - Health News : NPR](https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/12/01/940158684/some-health-care-workers-are-wary-of-getting-covid-19-vaccines) ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-some-scientific-theories-so-harmful-they-should-be-suppressed/926672/151 "2020-12-01T17:42:09Z")
Well, I suppose I can appreciate a little skepticism and wanting to read the actual trial results for their own peace of mind. It’s a far cry from believing it’s a mind control plot by Bill Gates. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-some-scientific-theories-so-harmful-they-should-be-suppressed/926672/152 "2020-12-01T18:08:14Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > But I’m not familiar with any fringe who thinks this is a vaccine to be avoided because it’s “from the Trump administration”. I have read a few folks who want the vaccine to be tested on “every member of the Trump family and administration” before they take it. They’re worried that the vaccine development was rushed in order to bolster Trump’s re-election chances, and that it might therefore not be as safe as other vaccines. I see no reason to believe that theory, but I’ve definitely seen it. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-some-scientific-theories-so-harmful-they-should-be-suppressed/926672/153 "2020-12-01T18:13:09Z")
_Fools to the left of me, jokers to the right…_ ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-some-scientific-theories-so-harmful-they-should-be-suppressed/926672/154 "2020-12-01T18:24:43Z")
> [@DemonTree](#): > > > [@Mijin](#): > > > > After all, the human genome project found several things that didn’t fit the popular narrative of race; that humans are genetically _lacking_ in diversity. And that almost all human genetic diversity is contained within Africa. > > > > > How many people, let alone how many racists, are aware of observations like that? > > It was certainly reported; I was aware of it. How many people paid attention is a different question. Indeed; since many people appear to be discussing the possibility of science finding differences between “races” without pointing out that any such research would have to consider sub-Saharan Africa as being populated by a large number of different “races”. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-some-scientific-theories-so-harmful-they-should-be-suppressed/926672/155 "2020-12-01T18:57:49Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > And that would be huge. It would have huge implications for how we see ourselves. It would give a massive boost to AI. It may reopen the discussion on human genetic engineering (and some countries no doubt would plow straight into doing it). Shades of _Flowers for Algernon_. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-some-scientific-theories-so-harmful-they-should-be-suppressed/926672/156 "2020-12-01T19:31:20Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > It’s not too difficult to think of examples of left-wing suppression of science. Anti-GMO activists led by groups including Greenpeace and the Earth Liberation Front have repeatedly vandalized and destroyed crops in test fields You’re conflating suppression of research on scientific applications with suppression of scientific theories, a distinction I explicitly pointed out in the post you replied to: > [@Kimstu](#): > > I can’t think of any genuine modern instance of anyone explicitly advocating that a scientific theory ought to be suppressed even if demonstrably true. Creationists, for example, are proceeding from the unyielding assumption that evolutionary science is a priori not true, so they don’t qualify for that category. > > One could argue that certain scientific applications shouldn’t be researched because of their potential harmfulness, like some of the biological-warfare technologies mentioned by previous posters. But again, that’s not the same thing as demanding the suppression of a theory. > [@Strassia](#): > > And this is more about suppressing a technology than a scientific theory. Yup. If the OP or other posters want to extend the original topic to suppression of different kinds of scientific activity, fine by me. But Jackmannii’s examples don’t actually contradict the point I was making. ---
**Author:** ![Strassia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e8c25b/32.png) [@Strassia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strassia)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2020, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-some-scientific-theories-so-harmful-they-should-be-suppressed/926672/157 "2020-12-01T20:42:27Z")
And I have yet seen any one suppress such research. Question it, critique it, disagree with its conclusions, those I have seen. Even refusing support or fund a specific line of research is not suppressing. Most of the push back is not prevent the research, but rather to limit the amount of misuse or mischaracterization of the research by motivated parties outside the scientific community. ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2020, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-some-scientific-theories-so-harmful-they-should-be-suppressed/926672/158 "2020-12-02T13:54:33Z")
We’re dealing with four categories, and the approaches should be different for each one. 1. Scientific theories that are well accepted by the scientific community. Given the nature of the scientific method, no theory will ever be declared 100% correct. None the less, many are widely accepted. Things like evolution by natural selection, the Big Bang, quantum physics, relativity, etc. Those should not be suppressed in any way, and taught in science classes as being the generally accepted way things are. 2. Scientific hypothesis that have been shown to be incorrect. These are still scientific in the sense that they can be evaluated empirically but have been shown to be incorrect. Luminiferous ether, phlogiston, geocentricism, etc. These should be taught primarily as examples of how the scientific method works when hypothesis turns out to be wrong. 3. Scientific hypothesis that have not yet been shown to be incorrect but are also not yet widely accepted. String theory and the various proposals on how life originated (starting with DNA vs RNA vs proteins or some other substrate) are good examples. Here we should teach the evidence but not imply that any one theory is correct or widely accepted. 4. Hypothesis that aren’t scientific in the sense that they can’t be assessed empirically. These have no place in science class. ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2020, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-some-scientific-theories-so-harmful-they-should-be-suppressed/926672/159 "2020-12-02T13:57:46Z")
Regarding the discussion of race and IQ, these hypothesis should fit into the second category. When they are brought up it should be in the context of being demonstrated to be incorrect and taught as such. ---
**Author:** ![DemonTree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/demontree/32/8646_2.png) [@DemonTree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DemonTree)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2020, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-some-scientific-theories-so-harmful-they-should-be-suppressed/926672/160 "2020-12-02T14:29:27Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Yup. If the OP or other posters want to extend the original topic to suppression of different kinds of scientific activity, fine by me. But Jackmannii’s examples don’t actually contradict the point I was making. I’m happy to expand the topic to suppressing scientific applications and technology, but you’re right, I was intending suppression of theories. Your example of the DNA research in India is a better fit. They objected to the findings because they contradicted their beliefs, and maybe because of political ramifications. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-some-scientific-theories-so-harmful-they-should-be-suppressed/926672.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-some-scientific-theories-so-harmful-they-should-be-suppressed/926672.md?page=9)