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A shrewd and compelling examination of how political figures throughout history have used scientific findings to achieve their objectives—just as scientists have often put political forces to work to achieve their own goals.

Table of Contents

Preface,
1 Background and History,
Greek Science in Decline,
The Rise of Modern Science,
What Is Science?,
The Organization of Science,
What Is the Purpose of Science?,
The Industrial Revolution,
The French Revolution,
The Origins of Science in America,
The Growth of Basic Research in the United States,
Science and Politics in the Mid-20th Century,
The Soviet Union,
Nazi Germany,
Great Britain,
Conclusion,
2 Problems, Controversies, and Solutions,
Galileo Revisited: The Case of J. Robert Oppenheimer,
The Science behind the Politics,
Reaction in the United States,
Oppenheimer, the Manhattan Project, and Reaction,
The Space Race and the Apollo Program,
Big Science, Little Science,
The Superconducting Super Collider,
The Strategic Defense Initiative,
Science Interruptus,
The Evils of Marijuana,
Issues of Human Sexuality,
Abstinence-Only Education,
Plan B,
Global Climate Change,
Conclusion,
3 Perspectives,
Introduction,
The Politics of Human Embryonic Stem Cells, Sandy Becker,
Kitzmiller v. Dover in Focus, Glenn Branch,
Science Is Not a Liberal Conspiracy, Allan B. Cobb,
Rowland's Recipe for Climate Treaty Success, Joel Grossman,
The Evolving Dispute over Teaching Darwinism, Phill Jones,
A Satellite Launches More Controversy,
Antievolutionists Struggle to Adapt Tactics,
The Politics of Genetically Modified Foods, Bill Loftus,
Science, Politics, and High Energy Physics, Michael Perricone,
Lysenko's Revenge: Science, Politics, and Hot Rhetoric, John Galbraith Simmons,
The Corruption of Climate Science by Leftist Politics, A. J. Smuskiewicz,
Oil and Water—The Political Mix of the 21st Century, Lana Straub,
4 Profiles,
Introduction,
Todd Akin (1947–),
American Association for the Advancement of Science,
Jonathan Beckwith (1935–),
Coalition on the Public Understanding of Science,
Teresa Stanton Collett,
Federation of American Scientists,
Sir Francis Galton (1822–1911),
Government Accountability Project,
Edward R. Korman (1942–),
Philipp Lenard (1862–1947),
John Marburger (1941–2011),
National Academy of Sciences,
National Center for Science Education,
Plato (428/427–348/347 bce),
Project on Scientific Knowledge and Public Policy,
Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility,
Ronald Reagan (1911–2004),
Eugenie C. Scott (1945–),
Kathleen Sebelius (1948–),
B. F. Skinner (1904–1990),
Union of Concerned Scientists,
5 Data and Documents,
Introduction,
Data,
Table 5.1: Impact of Abstinence-Only Education Programs on Behavior,
Table 5.2: Survey of FDA Scientists. Percent of Scientists Expressing Each Opinion on Each Question,
Documents,
The Republic, by Plato (ca. 389 bce),
Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989,
Abortion and Breast Cancer Legislation (1990s),
Politics and Science in the Federal Government (2003),
Gil Garcetti, et al., Petitioners v. Richard Ceballos, 547 U.S. 410 (2006),
Politicization of the Surgeon General's Office (2007),
In the Matter of Julie MacDonald (2008),
Interference at the EPA: Science and Politics at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2008),
State of Louisiana, Act No. 473, Regular Session 2008,
Proposed Amendments to H.R. 1 (2011),
Allegation of Scientific and Scholarly Misconduct and Reprisal (2012),
Annie Tummino, et al.,—against—Margaret Hamburg, Commissioner of Food and Drugs, et al., No. 12-cv-763 (ERK) (VVP) (2013),
Draft High Quality Research Act (2013),
6 Resources for Further Research,
Introduction,
Books,
Articles,
Reports,
Internet Resources,
7 Chronology,
8 Glossary,
Index,
About the Author,

About the Author

David E. Newton is the author of more than 400 textbooks, encyclopedias, workbooks, and other educational materials, primarily in the field of science and math.

Reviews

This addition to ABC-CLIO's Contemporary World Issues series tackles one of the thorniest issues in global politics. Newton goes to great lengths—whether exploring climate change or the debate over the legalization of marijuana—to explain just how it is that science has become so politicized. . . . As a timely resource on controversial topics, this title will most benefit high school and public libraries.
*Booklist*

While the Contemporary World Issues series is targeted at high school students and would serve quite well at that level, Science and Political Controversy is also an ideal source for argumentative papers, speeches, or debates in introductory English and communications courses at the post-secondary level. This work is recommended for high school, public, and undergraduate college libraries.
*ARBA*

Though his base premise—that science and politics exist in 'virtually constant conflict in the modern world'—is arguable, Newton assembles a useful . . . overview of areas, past and present, in which the two have clashed. . . . Science gets more positive play here than politics—faith-based or otherwise—but readers looking for historical and current points of friction between the two will find it a serviceable guide.
*School Library Journal*