Science and Political Controversy: A Reference Handbook

by David E. Newton

Overview

A shrewd and compelling examination of how political figures throughout history have used scientific findings to achieve their objectives—just as scientists have often put political forces to work to achieve their own goals.

The U.S. government has historically been the engine of American scientific achievement, from the birth of nuclear technology to the "space race." However, at times, our government has also misrepresented scientific evidence to advance a political agenda. Science and Political Controversy: A Reference Handbook examines how the government has facilitated research for the public good and the ways in which politicians have manipulated data to serve political ends around a broad array of controversies, from stem cell research to energy development, chemical health risks, and climate change.

Written specifically for high school students and general readers without specialized background knowledge on the subject, the work presents perspective essays authored by representatives from governmental agencies, politicians, political scientists, experts in the physical and life sciences, and other stakeholders concerned with the intersection of politics and science. The first section of the book provides background information on the topic that overviews the current problems and issues related to the interaction of science and politics. The second section supplies resources that readers can use for their own research, such as an annotated bibliography, profiles of important individuals and organizations, a chronology of important events, and a glossary of key terms.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781610693196
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	04/21/2014
Series:	Contemporary World Issues
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

David E. Newton is the author of more than 400 textbooks, encyclopedias, workbooks, and other educational materials, primarily in the field of science and math.

Table of Contents

Preface xiii

1 Background and History 3

Greek Science in Decline 7

The Rise of Modern Science 9

What Is Science? 13

The Organization of Science 15

What Is the Purpose of Science? 17

The Industrial Revolution 19

The French Revolution 22

The Origins of Science in America 24

The Growth of Basic Research in the United States 26

Science and Politics in the Mid-20th Century 29

The Soviet Union 30

Nazi Germany 33

Great Britain 36

Conclusion 41

2 Problems, Controversies, and Solutions 53

Galileo Revisited: The Case of J. Robert Oppenheimer 54

The Science behind the Politics 54

Reaction in the United States 56

Oppenheirner, the Manhattan Project, and Reaction 58

The Space Race and the Apollo Program 62

Big Science, Little Science 66

The Superconducting Super Collider 67

The Strategic Defense Initiative 70

Science Interruptus 76

The Evils of Marijuana 83

Issues of Human Sexuality 92

Abstinence-Only Education 93

Plan B 97

Global Climate Change 101

Conclusion 106

3 Perspectives 123

Introduction 123

The Politics of Human Embryonic Stem Cells Sandy Becker 123

Kitzmiller v. Dover in Focus Glenn Branch 126

Science Is Not a Liberal Conspiracy Allan B. Cobb 130

Rowland's Recipe for Climate Treaty Success Joel Grossman 133

The Evolving Dispute over Teaching Darwinism Phill Jones 136

A Satellite Launches More Controversy 138

Antievolutionists Struggle to Adapt Tactics 139

The Politics of Genetically Modified Foods Bill Loftus 140

Science, Politics, and High Energy Physics Michael Perricone 143

Lysenko's Revenge: Science, Politics, and Hot Rhetoric John Galbraith Simmons 147

The Corruption of Climate Science by Leftist Politics A.J. Smuskiewicz 153

Oil and Water-The Political Mix of the 21st Century Lana Straub 160

4 Profiles 167

Introduction 167

Todd Akin (1947-) 168

American Association for the Advancement of Science 170

Jonathan Beckwith (1935-) 173

Coalition on the Public Understanding of Science 176

Teresa Stanton Collett 179

Federation of American Scientists 183

Sir Francis Galton (1822-1911) 186

Government Accountability Project 189

Edward R. Korman (1942-) 192

Philipp Lenard (1862-1947) 194

John Marburger (1941-2011) 197

National Academy of Sciences 199

National Center for Science Education 202

Plato (428/427-348/347 BCE) 204

Project on Scientific Knowledge and Public Policy 207

Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility 210

Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) 213

Eugenie C. Scott (1945-) 216

Kathleen Sebelius (1948-) 219

B.K Skinner (1904-1990) 221

Union of Concerned Scientists 224

5 Data and Documents 229

Introduction 229

Data 229

Table 5.1 Impact of Abstinence-Only Education Programs on Behavior 230

Table 5.2 Survey of FDA Scientists. Percent of Scientists Expressing Each Opinion on Each Question 231

Documents 233

The Republic, by Plato (ca. 389 BCE) 233

Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 235

Abortion and Breast Cancer Legislation (1990s) 236

Politics and Science in the Federal Government (2003) 238

Gil Garcetti, et al., Petitioners v. Richard Ceballos, 547 U.S. 410 (2006) 242

Politicization of the Surgeon General's Office (2007) 245

In the Matter of Julie MacDonald (2008) 248

Interference at the EPA: Science and Politics at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2008) 250

State of Louisiana, Act No. 473, Regular Session 2008 252

Proposed Amendments to H.R. 1 (2011) 254

Allegation of Scientific and Scholarly Misconduct and Reprisal (2012) 256

Annie Tummino, et al.,-against-Margaret Hamburg, Commissioner of Food and Drugs, et al., No. 12-cv-763 (ERK) (WP) (2013) 258

Draft High Quality Research Act (2013) 260

6 Resources for Further Research 265

Introduction 265

Books 265

Articles 274

Reports 285

Internet Resources 288

7 Chronology 303

8 Glossary 315

Index 321

About the Author 331

Editorial Reviews

This addition to ABC-CLIO's Contemporary World Issues series tackles one of the thorniest issues in global politics. Newton goes to great lengths—whether exploring climate change or the debate over the legalization of marijuana—to explain just how it is that science has become so politicized. . . . As a timely resource on controversial topics, this title will most benefit high school and public libraries.” —Booklist

“While the Contemporary World Issues series is targeted at high school students and would serve quite well at that level, Science and Political Controversy is also an ideal source for argumentative papers, speeches, or debates in introductory English and communications courses at the post-secondary level. This work is recommended for high school, public, and undergraduate college libraries.” —ARBA

“Though his base premise—that science and politics exist in 'virtually constant conflict in the modern world'—is arguable, Newton assembles a useful . . . overview of areas, past and present, in which the two have clashed. . . . Science gets more positive play here than politics—faith-based or otherwise—but readers looking for historical and current points of friction between the two will find it a serviceable guide.” —School Library Jourbanal

From the Publisher

12/01/2014
Gr 8 Up—Though his base premise—that science and politics exist in "virtually constant conflict in the modern world"—is arguable, Newton assembles a useful, if one-sided, overview of areas, past and present, in which the two have clashed. He also includes profiles of polarizing figures and scientific organizations, from Plato and Todd "legitimate rape" Akin to the Union of Concerned Scientists (a nonprofit science advocacy organization); a gathering of relevant documents and transcripts; and a large, annotated list of resources for further investigation. In the opening chapters, the author tracks ideological conflicts from the ancient world through the (comparable, he notes) examples of Galileo's trial and J. Robert Oppenheimer's security hearings to the more recent debates around sex education, marijuana legalization, and climate change. Several writers then weigh in with largely pro-science essays on specific bones of contention, such as stem-cell research, in a "Perspectives" chapter. Following the alphabetically arranged biographies, the "Data and Documents" section offers a few perfunctory statistics and selected extracts from provocative legislation, government reports, and legal opinions. Finally, the annotations accompanying the print and Web resources in the ensuing chapter will give students solid leads for further research. Science gets more positive play here than politics—faith-based or otherwise—but readers looking for historical and current points of friction between the two will find it a serviceable guide.—John Peters, Children's Literature Consultant, New York City

School Library Journal