Ep. 257, Chapter 4: Unseen Biases In Modern Science With Thomas Levenson

30:32 – 39:53

Levenson states that it is inherently difficult to identify current scientific and medical biases, drawing parallels to historical assumptions like miasma theory. He highlights that societal willingness dictates scientific research — for example, how political decisions in the US have shifted NIH and NSF focus from infectious diseases to chronic conditions. Levenson also points out that modern scientists possess more facts and more rigorous theories than their predecessors, but this does not imply superior intelligence or cleaner habits of mind. Using the Human Genome Project as an example, Levenson notes that initial assumptions about understanding human biology simply by sequencing the genome proved overly simplistic. The project revealed far greater complexity than anticipated, highlighting how increased knowledge often uncovers more intricate problems.