There are a couple  complications with this. First of all, _bad_ science is rather apt to have very far-reaching political implications. Much evidence for this has been presented on this list at one time or another.

But also, and more crucial, science (god or bad) does not explain itself. (A text of any sort cannot speak of itself.) That is, the political significance of any piece of science (good or bad) has to be interpreted, and that interpretation is subject to debate.  Clearly¸over the last century plus, genetics (good and bad) has frequently had racist implications, or, more accurately, many people (scientists and non-scientists) drew racist implications from genetics. But also a rather large number of people did NOT draw such implicatins.

And people find the political implications that they want to find.

Carrol

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From: Science for the People Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Phil Gasper
Sent: Thursday, November 24, 2011 10:13 AM
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Subject: Good Science Always Has Political Ramifications

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=good-science-always-has-political