Christians target post-modernism, but is the biggest threat within science itself?
Public perceptions of science are deeply influenced by the roles played by scientists in the BSE crisis, the MMR vaccination concerns and the GM food controversy. Scientists used to be respected as independent experts, but no longer. Public confidence has been undermined by evident commercial interest, undue secrecy and unethical cover-ups.
These cases represent the tips of the proverbial iceberg. Beneath these controversies lies intense debate about the nature of science and what science can tell us. The annual conference of the organisation 'Christians in Science' (London, September 29) was devoted to exploring these issues, with the general theme of 'Can we be sure of anything?'