Fake science counts as fake news, too

Published 1:30 am Friday, December 23, 2016

As the media reels over “fake news” influencing Donald Trump’s election, even our most reputable outlets turn a blind eye to their own contribution to a larger problem – fake science.

You’ve seen the reports before: one moment coffee causes cancer, the next it assuredly doesn’t.

The pervasiveness of inaccurate science reporting is starting to take its toll. According to a Pew Research poll, only 37 percent of U.S. adults believe genetically modified foods are safe to eat, compared to almost 90 percent of scientists.

With our internationally derided STEM education programs, most Americans lack the baseline knowledge required to discern fact from science fiction. Audiences are left with no reason to doubt feverish health headlines or peddlers of junk science like popular TV personality Dr. Oz.

While we should shame fake news, there’s plenty of shame to go around for mainstream reporting as well.

Dr. Joseph Perrone

Center for Accountability in Science

Washington, D.C.