Sarewitz - Saving Science (The New Atlantis, 2016)

Overview of the Current State of Science

• Science, once deemed the pride of modernity, faces significant challenges. It is increasingly perceived as contestable, unreliable, and at times incorrect.

• Public trust in scientific knowledge is undermined across various fields including cancer research, climate change, and dietary guidelines.

Problems with Scientific Integrity

• The purported self-correcting nature of science is questioned; many argue it is self-destructing.

• A central belief is that scientific progress arises from free intellectual inquiry, rooted in Vannevar Bush's vision. This view is critiqued as a seductive political manipulation that obscures the complexities of scientific enterprise.

Historical Context of Scientific Funding

• Post-World War II, the U.S. entered a period of significant scientific growth fueled by government funding, increasing basic research expenditures from $265 million in 1953 to $38 billion in 2012 (adjusted for inflation).

• Research direction and accountability were left largely to scientists, placing them in a politically privileged position with little oversight.

Role of the Department of Defense (DOD) in Technological Advancement

• The DOD historically leveraged scientific inquiry to solve pressing technological needs, ensuring rapid innovation and practical advancements,

• The military-industrial complex created a structured ecosystem for scientific research that facilitated continued progress.

• DOD funding spurred advancements in various fields, such as jet propulsion and semiconductors, crucially influencing modern technology.

Case Study: Breast Cancer Advocacy

• Fran Visco, an activist with direct experience in breast cancer, exemplifies the intersection of patient advocacy and science. She led efforts to secure funding and transparency in research through the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC).

• The collaboration with the DOD allowed patient-advocates a unique role in research funding decisions leading to critical cancer therapies, such as Herceptin.

Integration of Science and Technology

• The integration of scientific inquiry with specific technological goals yields the most impactful scientific knowledge.

• Critiques center on the over-reliance on preclinical models (like mouse studies) that often do not effectively translate to human medicine due to biological differences.

The Challenge of Big Data

• The rise of big data is seen as a double-edged sword; while it offers expansive research opportunities, it can lead to more misleading results through spurious correlations.

• Difficulties arise in discerning true scientific findings from flawed or biased studies within vast data sets, complicating the interpretation of scientific progress.

Moving Forward: Addressing Systemic Failures

• There is an urgent need for a paradigm shift in how scientific inquiry is conducted, stressing the importance of accountability, intentionality, and societal relevance.

• Future scientific institutions should prioritize outcomes that directly address pressing human problems rather than merely contributing to the ever-growing body of scientific literature.

• The vision of science as solely driven by "the free play of free intellects" is seen as outdated and ineffective in addressing the soundness of scientific validity and practical outcomes.