The Virginia Tech Professor who blew the whistle on lead in the water in Flint, MI thinks “public science” has been broken. Not knowing its been a broken system all along. In a recent interview, he comes forth with a stinging indictment of government-supported science. He does understand that this widespread problem of incompetent, worthless and dangerous research is a funding problem. However, he clearly does not understand that the fundamental problem is that it is GOVERNMENT funding and regulation. The silver lining from the Flint lead poisonings is that people are losing trust in government science and scientists.
“I am very concerned about the culture of academia in this country and the perverse incentives that are given to young faculty — and the idea of science as a public good is being lost.”
“But we have to get this fixed, and fixed fast, or else we are going to lose this symbiotic relationship with the public. They will stop supporting us.”
“I’m really surprised how emotional this interview is making me, and I’ve given several hundred interviews. What these agencies did in [the Washington, D.C., case] was the most fundamental betrayal of public trust that I’ve ever seen. When I realized what they had done, as a scientist, I was just outraged and appalled.”
“I grew up worshiping at the altar of science, and in my wildest dreams I never thought scientists would behave this way. The only way I can construct a worldview that accommodates this is to say, These people are unscientific. Science should be about pursuing the truth and helping people. If you’re doing it for any other reason, you really ought to question your motives.”
“Unfortunately, in general, academic research and scientists in this country are no longer deserving of the public trust. We’re not.”
