If there was a safe vaccine against Ebola virus would you
take it? I think most people would say yes. Yet why do so many Americans refuse
flu vaccination, when thousands of American lives would be saved every year by
flu vaccination? I find this contrast noteworthy.
Another interesting revelation for me during this Ebola
virus scare is the high level of scientific illiteracy in this country. People are faulting public officials for not
knowing every detail about Ebola virus disease, not realizing that the scientific
method is based on developing theories after gathering evidence. Lack of scientific information can only be
corrected by experimentation, which takes time, money, commitment at high
levels and ethical practices (there are guidelines for experimentation in
humans). Theories may change, based on new
evidence. I believe that the level of
irrational panic would be greatly reduced if Americans placed much higher value
on science education and literacy.
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