Scientists with differing views?

Question

Is it important for policymakers and the public to hear from scientists with differing views?

Update:

Please also see my other quetion at https://au.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20...

Answer 1

Favourite answer

It depends on the discussion, and what we mean by differing, but as a general thing, I have found that the best decisions tend to arise when the people making them are as fully informed as possible, which means hearing contrary views. Kind of like going to more than one contractor to get a bid, or getting multiple designs for a new building, and that sort of thing.

Answer 2

We have a peer review system.

If a scientist wants to publish some new idea, it has to be vetted by a peer review panel before any mainstream magazine will publish it.

However, there are problems.

Vested interests may influence the peer review system. That's because money for research is awarded to people who are approved by the peer review system.

Those people in the system get the money to do new research. And that makes it hard for an "outsider" to get his views heard.

Answer 3

Yes, if they have good support for their views. we have a surplus of wacko ideas from half trained scientists.

Answer 4

some may be paid off to say what they say