Science vs. Medieval Thinking Article Analysis: Public Health Impact

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Tom Spears' article, 'Science vs. Medieval Thinking,' which explores the societal resistance to scientific advancements, particularly concerning vaccines and genetically modified (GM) foods. The author argues that superstition and conspiracy theories often take precedence over scientific evidence, hindering public health initiatives and technological progress. The analysis delves into Spears' key arguments, supported by references to other authors and studies, such as Elizabeth Kolbert and Massimiano Bucchi, to highlight the impact of these beliefs on disease eradication efforts like polio and measles, as well as the challenges faced by GM food research. The report also examines the role of media misrepresentation and the public's preference for sensationalized content in fueling these oppositions. Furthermore, the analysis emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and the need for society to prioritize evidence-based reasoning for the advancement of public health and societal welfare. The report concludes by reiterating the author's central argument that, despite the perceived difficulty, embracing scientific facts is ultimately more rewarding than succumbing to unfounded theories.

Running head: SCIENCE VS. MEDIEVAL THINKING ARTICLE ANALYSIS 1
Science vs. Medieval Thinking Article Analysis
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SCIENCE VS. MEDIEVAL THINKING ARTICLE ANALYSIS 2
Overview
In the article titled, “science vs. medieval thinking,” by Tom Spears, the author provides
a discussion on the persistent opposition towards vaccines and GM foods. The author argues that
one of the greatest impediments to the growth and development of science is society’s preference
of conspiracy theories and mysteries over evidence and reason. This paper provides an in depth
analysis of the article focusing on the key points presented by the author and the intended impact
of the article. In providing the analysis the paper will seek to collaborate some of the authors
arguments with similar arguments presented by other reputable authors thereby enhancing the
credibility of information provided in the article.
Analysis
In the introductory section of the article, Spears argues that one of the primary reasons as
to why diseases like polio and measles which are supposed to be eradicated are still present in
some parts of the world is because of societies preference to believe in superstition over science.
Spears arguments are collaborated in the article titled, “Why Facts Don’t Change our Minds,” by
Elizabeth Kolbert. In the article, the author in references a 1975 study conducted by researchers
at Stanford University. The study revealed that in certain situations, people might choose to
completely ignore the facts presented to them and instead believe in arguments that bear no logic
(Kolbert, 2017).
This was seen in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa region where efforts by humanitarian
organizations to combat polio in the region where being significantly undermined by
superstitious beliefs (Superstition frustrates anti-polio efforts: Harvard survey, 2017). A
percentage of the local population believed that Polio vaccination was against the teaching of

SCIENCE VS. MEDIEVAL THINKING ARTICLE ANALYSIS 3
Islam and as a result of this it was improper for them to take their children to get the vaccination
(Kai, 2017).
These thoughts are also reflected by Mbiyimoh Ghogom in his article titled, “Extremist
Islamic Superstition Fueling a Resurgence of Polio.” In the article the author highlights the fact
that in recent years there has been a resurgence of the Polio outbreak in countries like
Afghanistan, Somalia and Nigeria where extremist groups like the Taliban and Boko Haram have
denounced polio vaccination. The superstitious beliefs are not only associated with Polio but also
measles. In some parts of India measles is considered to be a gift from a Goddess and it is
believes that huge developmental growth spurts would follow an individual after he/she has been
infected (Measles: A Gift from a Goddess?, 2012). These beliefs have significantly impeded
vaccination programs against measles in India and other regions across Asia (Yasin, 2012).
In his article Tom proceeded to indicate that despite spending billions on research
programs, most members of the western society reject the outcome of the research on two key
grounds: genetically modified foods and public vaccination programs. The opposition to
vaccines and GMO’s affect the development of technologies that can benefit the public, and
negatively impact social welfare. In the west open of the major drivers of oppositions towards
vaccines and GMO’s is the society’s preference to believe in conspiracy theories instead of facts
presented to them.
In the west there are a number of theories indicating that GM foods are toxic and harmful
especially to individuals who are in cancer prevention and those with autoimmune diseases
(Dixon et al., 2016). These theories though baseless have served to significantly erode public
confidence in GM foods. The loss of confidence in GM foods has significantly hampered
research into food production which in return has resulted in increased food shortages across the

SCIENCE VS. MEDIEVAL THINKING ARTICLE ANALYSIS 4
world. Tom’s argument that the persistent opposition to GM foods and Vaccines in the west is
driven by a suspicion of technocracy is also supported by Massimiano Buchi in his book,
“Beyond Technocracy: Science, Politics and Citizens.”
In the book the author refers to a survey conducted by Eurobarometer which revealed that
the primary reason as to why there is opposition to GM foods in Italy and most parts of Europe is
because of misrepresentation by the media (Bucchi, 2011). Most media sources have represented
GM foods as commodities produced by technocratic governments to negatively affect the
populace. In the book, the author indicates that the rapid development and proliferation of
technology has led to emergence of fake media outlets that publish information even if the
information is not factual.
In his article Tom argues that the current society is blind to the facts and instead focuses
more on illogical reasoning. A number of studies into media reporting have revealed that a
significant percentage of the society would willing fully believe incorrect information if the
arguments presented to support this information follows with the societies line of thought
(Hodkinson, 2016). The studies revealed that one of the major determinants of whether or not an
individual reads an article is the title and because conspiracies have more interesting titles than
research articles, most people prefer reading conspiracy articles (Hodkinson, 2016).
In his argument Tom indicates that despite a number of conspiracy theories alluding to the
dangers of GM foods to consumers, a number of scientific studies have proven that these theories
are false. Scientists believe that the debate over the safety of GM foods was concluded by the
new trillion meal study which revealed that GM foods are safe and have no negative impacts on
the health of the consumer. In the study it was proven that GM Foods are not only safe for
consumption but also serve to enhance social welfare. GM foods help to tackle the challenge of

SCIENCE VS. MEDIEVAL THINKING ARTICLE ANALYSIS 5
food production thereby making it possible for society to easily feed itself in an affordable
manner. The benefits of GM foods are also discussed by Tom in his article where he indicates
that due to GM foods there has been a increase in societal life expectancy.
In conclusion the article by Tom argues that society has chosen to ignore the facts
presented by scientific studies and instead focus on unfounded theories. This choice is driven by
the fact that most members of the society find it tasking to effectively analyze a report and
deduce facts based on the information presented in the report. He argues that in the end of the
day even though looking at facts can be more tasking, it is more rewarding than ignoring the
facts.

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References
Bucchi, M. (2011). Beyond technocracy science, politics and citizens. Dordrecht: Springer.
Dixon, G., McComas, K., Besley, J., & Steinhardt, J. (2016). Transparency in the food aisle: the
influence of procedural justice on views about labeling GM foods. Journal of Risk
Research, 19(9), 1158-1171.
Hodkinson, P. (2016). Media, culture and society: An introduction. Sage.
Kai, K. (2017, July 26). Can skeptical parents be persuaded to vaccinate? Retrieved October 04,
2017, from http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2017/04/can-skeptical-parents-be-persuaded-
vaccinate
Kolbert, E. (2017, June 19). Why Facts Don't Change Our Minds. Retrieved October 04, 2017, from
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/02/27/why-facts-dont-change-our-minds
Measles: A Gift from a Goddess? (2012, September 27). Retrieved October 04, 2017, from
https://luckylosing.com/2011/11/13/measles-a-gift-from-a-goddess/
Superstition frustrates anti-polio efforts: Harvard survey. (2017, March 28). Retrieved October 04,
2017, from https://tribune.com.pk/story/1367290/superstition-frustrates-anti-polio-efforts-
harvard-survey/
Yasin, A. (2012, October 18). Vaccinators fight superstition alongside polio. Retrieved October 04,
2017, from https://www.dawn.com/news/757562