Political agendas hiding behind science are nothing new. A particularly famous episode occurred in the 1950s, where tobacco companies tried to instil doubt in scientific reports that found correlations between smoking and bad health by funding research of their own. Yet, the idea that science can be used as a vehicle for political interests has not disappeared; it has just become much more subtle.
In the News
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February 11th, 2017
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February 11th, 2017
A report's found freedom of speech at universities is continuing to decrease for Christians and others.
Spiked, an online magazine, found in its annual Free Speech University Rankings report that 63 per cent - almost two-thirds - of universities now actively censor speech, something which affects believers among other students.
It also found 30 per cent stifle speech through regulation.
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February 11th, 2017
It's that time of year again. The only university rankings to be branded 'vile' by the National Union of Students is back. Today we launch the 2017 findings of the Free Speech University Rankings, spiked's groundbreaking analysis of campus censorship in the UK, now in its third year. We've assessed 115 universities, looking at the bans and policies universities and students' unions use to stifle free speech on campus, and ranked them using our traffic-light system. This year's survey is once again full of fascinating insights into the parlous state of free speech in the academy, not to mention shocking and (sometimes unintentionally) hilarious examples of campus authoritarianism. The overall picture is bleak.
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February 11th, 2017
"Gender disappointment" is not a recognised medical condition. But many women in Australia – where gender selection is illegal -- attribute their depression to it. Speaking to Australia's ABC network, a woman using the pseudonym Kate described it as as "a guilt-ridden, debilitating depression". She has two boys and she desperately wants a daughter. "Unless someone has that desire themselves and feels how it can be all-consuming, they can't understand what it's like," she says. "It'd be so easy if I could just switch it off and just be happy."
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February 11th, 2017
Debenhams is set to become the first major UK department store to sell hijabs as part of a new range of Muslim clothing.
The chain store will introduce the new line in its flagship Oxford Street branch, before being rolled out to its Birmingham's Bullring, Westfield in Shepherd's Bush, Manchester's Trafford Centre and Leicester's Highcross Shopping Centre outlets.
The selection will offer tops, dresses, jumpsuits, kimono wraps, caps, hijab pins and headscarves.
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February 11th, 2017
The Archbishop of Canterbury has said wealthy people should pay more tax because trickle-down economics doesn't work.
Most Rev Justin Welby said the idea that the whole of society benefits if high earners see their income increase is not "an effective form of redistribution".
He acknowledged many rich people earn their money legitimately, but he added that everything we have ultimately comes from God and is God's.
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February 11th, 2017
When Fan Yimei's 11-year-old son gave up on his chess lessons to focus on fencing instead, she knew there was no point pressuring him to change his mind.
That's because she was told months before that he would excel in sports, while more studious past-times were not in his DNA.
Her son is one of thousands of children in China who have undergone genetic testing which purportedly "reveal" what talents they will develop in later life.
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February 11th, 2017
An extra-curricular project that schools were told they had to promote in assemblies is in financial disarray yet will still be given a budget of £420 million a year by 2020.
However, the plans to force schools to promote the National Citizen Service (NCS) for 16 and 17- year-olds have been abandoned.
Established in 2011, the NCS was a key part of the “big society” agenda of the former prime minister David Cameron, who now chairs the company. It uses government funding to pay private companies to provide residential trips, volunteering and work experiences to teenagers.
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February 11th, 2017
Spain's Congress of Deputies is debating new euthanasia legislation, as right-to-die lobbyists intensify their campaign in the country.
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February 11th, 2017
Midwives have been told to use the word "partner" during antenatal classes after a lesbian couple complained about a nurse using the term "fella".
The duo told hospital bosses they are too uncomfortable to return to the sessions and were given one-to-one sessions following the incident.
Hospital documents revealed the midwife had kept referring to the "fella's role" during the antenatal classes.