The need for scientific literacy

St. Vital

As a Canadian, I am sometimes a bit smug when comparing Canada to the United States. I like to think that what is happening right now in the U.S. could not possibly happen in Canada — but I would be wrong.

Case in point: The U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) is now led by an unqualified person with no scientific training and an extremist ideology. He apparently believes that vaccines are more dangerous than the deadly diseases they control. He has mused that letting diseases run through a population might be a good thing. It would kill the “weak” — leaving individuals with “superior genes” to reproduce.

Statements like these reflect a low level of scientific literacy. While the fastest rabbits can outrun a fox, this does not mean they are inherently superior in other ways. If a chicken or a farm ostrich survives avian flu, their descendants may inherit the ability to survive avian flu. It does not make them immune to other diseases. Nor are they superior in other ways (smarter, faster, tastier, etc.).

As I watched the destruction of the CDC, I recalled a time when the Canadian government appointed a Minister of Environment who was unqualified for the position. At the time, I thought this was because there were so few elected representatives with scientific knowledge or experience. I later realized that the intent was to dismantle the department and undo its regulatory work (as with the CDC). Scientific qualifications were irrelevant.

So, yes — this can happen in Canada.

How can we prevent the destruction of science-based institutions in Canada?

We need to improve scientific literacy in all high school graduates (including future politicians). Language arts, math, and phys ed/health are compulsory through Grade 12 in Manitoba but students can “opt out” of science in Grade 11 and 12. They often decide based on their career path.

This is not enough. Scientific literacy is essential for personal well-being and a functioning democratic society. Regardless of career path, people make daily decisions about their health and diet and the chemicals and other products they buy, use, and throw away. They must be able to distinguish sound scientific information from false or misleading information that abounds on the Internet. Politicians from all walks of life need to understand complex scientific issues that affect society so they can create policy based on science — not economics or political ideology.