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Do scientists regret not sticking to the science?

3 min read 01 Apr 2023, 01:18 PM IST James Freeman , The Wall Street Journal

Taking political stands squanders the credibility of experts.

In the summer of 2020, public-health experts decided that racism is a public-health crisis comparable to the coronavirus pandemic. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz (REUTERS) — In the summer of 2020, public-health experts decided that racism is a public-health crisis comparable to the coronavirus pandemic. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz **(REUTERS)**

One distinguishing feature of our age is the use and abuse of scientific credentials to assert authority in unrelated political debates. The inevitable result is a loss of credibility among those who hold themselves out as experts. And at least some of these experts may have a new appreciation of this fact.