Horizon Season 2011 Episode 3 Science Under Attack

Science has brought us incredible advancements throughout history, from vaccines to space travel, but in recent years scientific findings and the scientific community itself has come under attack. The Horizon season 2011 episode 3 named "Science Under Attack" takes a deep dive into the root causes of this attack on science and how it affects society.

The episode begins by showing how science has been challenged in the public arena with issues like climate change, evolution, and vaccinations. These controversies have been fueled by misinformation being spread through media outlets and social media, creating confusion and hesitation in the public when it comes to trusting science. The program explores how the media coverage of science has changed over the years and how scientific issues are now being looked at through a political lens. While some scientists try to communicate their findings to the public, others are being silenced through threats and intimidation by industry groups with a vested interest in keeping the status quo.

The episode goes on to examine the psychology behind the public distrust of science. People are emotionally attached to their beliefs and values, and at times, science challenges those beliefs. This can be difficult for some individuals to accept, causing them to reject scientific findings altogether. Horizon interviewed prominent scientists, such as Lord Robert Winston, who noted that people have a tendency to cling to their own beliefs even when faced with scientific evidence to the contrary.

Additionally, politicians have been known to suppress scientific evidence in order to push their own political agendas. British politician David Tredinnick is shown throughout the episode promoting the use of alternative therapies instead of conventional medicine. His views clash with the scientific evidence which shows that alternative therapies lack clinical trials and are not effective in treating illnesses. The program also highlights how the tobacco industry attempted to suppress scientific evidence of the connection between smoking and lung cancer for decades.

Another issue that is explored in the episode is the amount of pressure put on scientists by governments and corporations to produce results that support their interests. With the amount of funding for scientific research being cut, scientists are being forced to find alternative funding from industry sources. This can lead to bias and conflict of interest amongst scientists, which can impact the outcome of their research. Some scientists have even been threatened with job loss for publishing their findings, and the overall impact on their careers sometimes causes them to make their results less severe than they should be in order to continue working in the field.

Horizon presents a balanced view of the attacks on science by showcasing the growing trend of scientists and activists working together to fight against the suppression of scientific evidence. They highlight how scientists are using social media and other platforms to educate the public and dispel myths around science. Horizon also applauds the many scientists who are able to resist pressure from government and industry to provide misinformed data that supports industry interests.

"Science Under Attack" is a crucial episode that delves deep into the many ways that science is being challenged in today's society. It highlights the importance of understanding and believing in the scientific method, and how science has been vital to many of the advancements and discoveries that have had a major impact on our daily lives.