In this age of information saturation and hyper-connectedness, the pursuit of truth has begun to wither in the shadows of its sister: order. Ideology and identity-based politics have infiltrated mainstream media and online spaces to dominate what gets amplified most, with the intention of maintaining control over what is believed and what ought to be protected. While truth and order need to be held in a delicate balance for global progress, in such a diverse landscape, it is easy for order to weigh a bit too heavy. But without the relentless pursuit of what is true, we will never fully reach our potential for “all boats rising.” However good the intention, there is no good in the contamination and censorship in science, which is home to our best avenue to the discovery of truth. What is true may not be comfortable, but it offers a direction for a better future. This is a growing trend that demands urgent attention, as it threatens to stifle innovation and suppress valuable discourse.
In its ideal form, political correctness aims to foster inclusive and respectful communication. However, over the years it has morphed into a tool of censorship, discouraging scientists from exploring controversial or uncomfortable topics. This is particularly evident in fields such as genetics, gender science, psychology, and climate science, where the fear of offending certain groups can lead to data manipulation, results suppression, and voiding specific research areas altogether. Some researchers and professors worry about losing their jobs if they reveal findings that challenge a perceived or desirable narrative.
Out of legitimate concern for the acceptance of trans people and gender-fluid individuals, many biologists make false claims about the number of sexes the human species has and often willfully confuse the public by issuing comparisons to other species which do not even replicate via sexual reproduction. Instead of informing the public, the truth is twisted to fit their morals, preferences, and ideas about how the world should operate. Research on genetic differences between populations (such as intelligence), though scientifically valid, often encounters fierce opposition, with anyone involved in the research being labeled as racist or far-right. In this vein, they fear that the truth will lead to reinforcing stereotypes, buttressing discrimination and unwanted outcomes.
More recently, it is considered taboo to make objective claims about the deleterious effects of cousin marriage because it targets people from a minority group. Incest leads to an uptick in birth defects, genetic diseases, lower IQ, and miscarriage due to the likelihood of inheriting two recessive or mutated genes from the parents, who are more likely to share the genes due to the closeness of their relatedness. There are many anti-cousin marriage laws around the world to prevent these genetic defects and the unintended burden it may place on society to pay and care for high-needs individuals. But scientists in the UK came across evidence from the UK Biobank and found that levels of incest were significantly higher in the British Pakistani community than the wider population, thus producing a higher percentage of children with learning disabilities. They hid the findings out of concern that it may cause more discrimination against Pakistanis. While these concerns are understandable, stifling research in this area could hinder progress in understanding human health and disease.
Climate science has seen instances where political correctness hampers open debate and influences policy. Scientists who express skepticism about certain solutions or propose alternative hypotheses risk being dismissed as “science deniers” and marginalized from the academic community. This not only undermines the scientific method, which thrives on questioning and debate, but also polarizes the public discourse on critical issues.
Over the last five years, the public’s trust in science has been in decline. On both sides of the aisle, fewer Democrats and Republicans report having a positive view of science and its impact on society. A 2023 Pew survey found that only 57% of Americans say science has had a mostly positive effect on society. Much of this distrust ostensibly stems from the years of the Covid pandemic and inconsistent policy decisions that left people feeling frustrated by their lack of agency and understanding. While the public, already struggling with the fear of the unknown and losing livelihoods and loved ones, were constantly told what they could not do because of a novel coronavirus, they watched as certain large gatherings were permitted because of their supposed righteousness. A virus is a virus; it cannot distinguish between frivolity and virtue.
The suppression of science under the guise of political correctness poses a significant threat to the advancement of knowledge. Science thrives on open inquiry, dissent, skepticism, and the challenging of established norms–all to get to what is true. When researchers are compelled to conform to a prevailing social or political ideology, the integrity of research is compromised, and the trust of the public declines. There are no experts if an ideology is paramount. Without experts, people are more likely to look to those who can make a quick buck off of an increasingly anxious populace.
To address this issue, the scientific community must reaffirm its commitment to intellectual freedom and engage in evidence-based debate. This includes creating an environment where controversial topics and/or results can be discussed openly and respectfully. It is also crucial for funding bodies and institutions to support research that does not serve an approved ideology. Diversity of opinion should be a shared value to ensure a range of perspectives. Independent media and large social media accounts should do their best to look for the most robust studies to combat misinformation and correct the narratives that get played the most. Standing up against one’s own tribe has always been risky, but it’s the only way to self-correct when we are all in agreement without knowing the truth.
Political correctness has its place in promoting safe and respectful dialogue. But it becomes quite dangerous indeed when it censors and manipulates science. The search for truth requires the freedom to explore the dark corners of possibility, no matter how it makes us feel. Only by safeguarding this freedom can we ensure the continued advancement of human knowledge and the betterment of society.
