Why do we want to teach our children science?

[AV1611VET]

There is no comparison. Evolution is not a commercial drug, pushed by pharmaceutical companies.

You could equally compare the thalidomide case with Bibolatry. They both involve/involved reading text. The reports on the efficacy and safety of thalidomide were written text. The Bible is written text. Reading text leads to disastrous results.

I'm not sure what this was all about.

I'll just file it as a random rant.

 

[BarryDesborough]

I'm not sure what this was all about.

I'll just file it as a random rant.

You tried to insinuate that evolutionary science wasn't reliable because thalidomide. (Thalidomide was a sciency thing.)

I am claiming that reading scripture is a dangerous thing because thalidomide. (Thalidomide was judged safe by people who read stuff).

Yes, it was a random rant, just like yours.

Actually, come to think of it, there are numerous cases of people letting their kids die preventable deaths (deaths that could have ben prevented by science-based medicine) because of what they imagine scripture tells them.

 

[AV1611VET]

You tried to insinuate that evolutionary science wasn't reliable because thalidomide. (Thalidomide was a sciency thing.)

Yet again, here's the conversation:

Actually gravity and evolution have basically as much scientific consensus as it is possible for a scientific theory to get.

So did Thalidomide.

Just because something has scientific consensus, doesn't mean it's right -- as Thalidomide demonstrated.

I don't care how much scientific consensus evolution has ... evolution is wrong.

 

[BarryDesborough]

Yet again, here's the conversation:

Just because something has scientific consensus, doesn't mean it's right -- as Thalidomide demonstrated.

I don't care how much scientific consensus evolution has ... evolution is wrong.

The "scientific consensus" re. thalidomide was among a limited number of people who believed promotion and assurances of a pharmaceutical company.

There is no comparison with evolution, or theories of gravity, germs, atoms, plate tectonics, etc.

Tragic as the talidomide mistake was, people changed their views in the light of the evidence. I doubt that those who let their children die unnecessarily for "scriptural" reasons acknowledge their mistakes. God wanted their children. It was His will.

 

[AV1611VET]

The "scientific consensus" re. thalidomide was among a limited number of people who believed promotion and assurances of a pharmaceutical company.

I don't believe that.

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, more than 10,000 children in 46 countries were born with deformities such as phocomelia as a consequence of thalidomide use.

SOURCE

 

[TLK Valentine]

Nope -- ain't gonna happen, unless I take some of that scientifically-created LSD first.

What could LSD do to you that your Biblolatry doesn't already?

 

[TLK Valentine]

Just because something has scientific consensus, doesn't mean it's right -- as Thalidomide demonstrated.

Scientists didn't have all the facts -- so you see, ignorance is a hazard, not the badge you think it is.

 

[BarryDesborough]

I don't believe that.


SOURCE

That makes belief in the innocuousness fo thalidomide it comparable to evolution, does it?

And how many kids have been killed and maimed by whacky scriptural beliefs? Anti-vaxxers? HIV deniers? Cults? No end of loopy pseudo- and anti-science insanities?

 

[AV1611VET]

Scientists didn't have all the facts --

Since when does consensus require all the facts?

It may require all the known facts, but unknown facts may still remain.

 

[AV1611VET]

That makes belief in the innocuousness fo thalidomide it comparable to evolution, does it?

-- What?

 

[TLK Valentine]

I don't believe that.

You have a right to believe whatever nonsense you wish -- just don't try to pass it off as fact.

 

[TLK Valentine]

Since when does consensus require all the facts?

Since when did you require any?

 

[BarryDesborough]

-- What?

That makes belief in the innocuousness of thalidomide comparable to acceptance of evolution, does it?

(Just come in from working in the hot sun.)

 

[AV1611VET]

I don't believe that.

You have a right to believe whatever nonsense you wish -- just don't try to pass it off as fact.

Did you read what I wrote, chief?

 

[TLK Valentine]

Did you read what I wrote, chief?

Yep -- I'd ask if you understood what I wrote, but the answer's already obvious.

 

[Loudmouth]

I don't believe that.


SOURCE

So they used science to determine that thalidomide causes birth defects. Without science, how would they have determined that?

 

[Cheeky Monkey]

That they've been testing long enough?

So stop doing science now? There's been enough?

 

[AV1611VET]

So they used science to determine that thalidomide causes birth defects. Without science, how would they have determined that?

That came after the consensus.

 

[Cheeky Monkey]

That came after the consensus.

The consensus is called a consensus and not dogma because it can shift with newer and better evidence.

 

[AV1611VET]

The consensus is called a consensus and not dogma because it can shift with newer and better evidence.

Alrighty ... thank you.