Palin does it again, with a side of "drosophilistinism"
Sarah Palin is going on the offensive against the biological sciences.
Basically, Sarah Palin decided to say, in contrast to McCain, that she would try and wield power (which she doesn't have as VP) to fund disability programs (well, that sounds good) by taking away funding from earmarks (ok...) for research like fruit fly research (YIKES! And the hammer falls).
Drosophila melanogaster, the common fruit fly, is the model organism for molecular genetics in animals. It is the easiest to manipulate, best way we have to gain insight into animal genetics.
The real reason why the hammer falls on her because of this, is because apparently, fruit fly research has recently revealed insights that may help find a cure/mitigation for autism. So basically, she wants to fund stuff that will help a few people now, by taking away the future research that will help them, and possibly other people with disabilities, diseases, and etc.etc.
I owe Dawkins for the made up word though. As he said pertaining to the willfully ignorant woman:
"That's exactly right. Sarah Palin's Drosophilistinism is just one small manifestation of a larger and very worrying phenomenon, potentially fatal in a democracy: ignorant stupidity has become a proud badge of in-group solidarity. Many people are actively afraid of education, of cleverness, of fitness for office."
Dawkins' website showing MSNBC and Chris Hitchens' commentary.
By the way, Drosophilistinism is officially my new favorite psuedo-word.
I didn't like how Hitchens did though, because he emphasized her religion and not her willful or destructive ignorance.
Also, although his language is significantly harsher, the Pharyngula link from Dawkins, PZ Myers does a much better job of explaining exactly why the D. melanogaster research is important.
Basically, Sarah Palin decided to say, in contrast to McCain, that she would try and wield power (which she doesn't have as VP) to fund disability programs (well, that sounds good) by taking away funding from earmarks (ok...) for research like fruit fly research (YIKES! And the hammer falls).
Drosophila melanogaster, the common fruit fly, is the model organism for molecular genetics in animals. It is the easiest to manipulate, best way we have to gain insight into animal genetics.
The real reason why the hammer falls on her because of this, is because apparently, fruit fly research has recently revealed insights that may help find a cure/mitigation for autism. So basically, she wants to fund stuff that will help a few people now, by taking away the future research that will help them, and possibly other people with disabilities, diseases, and etc.etc.
I owe Dawkins for the made up word though. As he said pertaining to the willfully ignorant woman:
"That's exactly right. Sarah Palin's Drosophilistinism is just one small manifestation of a larger and very worrying phenomenon, potentially fatal in a democracy: ignorant stupidity has become a proud badge of in-group solidarity. Many people are actively afraid of education, of cleverness, of fitness for office."
Dawkins' website showing MSNBC and Chris Hitchens' commentary.
By the way, Drosophilistinism is officially my new favorite psuedo-word.
I didn't like how Hitchens did though, because he emphasized her religion and not her willful or destructive ignorance.
Also, although his language is significantly harsher, the Pharyngula link from Dawkins, PZ Myers does a much better job of explaining exactly why the D. melanogaster research is important.