General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Neil DeGrasse Tyson Tells Bill Maher That Anti-Science Liberals Are Full of Shit Too [View all]mackdaddy
(1,536 posts)Science is always open to new information, to new scientific truths. What we know as "fact" can always be re-evaluated, or extended. Dogma has no place in real Science.
Our understanding of matter and energy is under near constant revision. The line between "woo" and science sometimes gets pretty fuzzy. I am not sure most "scientist" have much of a handle on string theory or multidimensional space.
Scientific truths are also very rarely black and white, but are beyond shades of gray to shades of the entire rainbow. Blanket statements like "all Vaccines are safe for everyone" are like saying "peanuts are safe for everyone". I just ate a handful of peanuts, but if about 5% of the population did that, their throat will swell up and they will die! Vaccines can and do have adverse reactions in some people. But not all people, or even most people have the reactions. The risks always need to be evaluated and weighted against the benefits.
Many if not most medicines were developed by exploring the effects of "alternative" medicine plants and chemicals of the past. Some work well, some not so much. That is why we have true scientific studies of their effects. But even these are not always definitive over time. Prilosec and other PPI drugs were safe and effective stomach acid reducers and companies made Billions from them. Except we recently found they cause profound brain and kidney damage. Oops.
Science is always open to new insights and revelations. Religion is not. Many seem to still confuse the two.