How often has we been shown a story on the news, in the paper, or even on our Facebook feed that showcases science? I know on my own Facebook feed, I can see between 10-20 science related posts or articles. So, in a world that seems to talk about science a lot, do they really know or even understand what they are telling the public, and you? Well I have created a few steps on how you can spot the difference between real science and just what the news and hype are saying.
Let's use an example that has been in the news for a while now, genetically modified organisms or GMO's. Boiled down to the core, " A GMO is an organism whose genome has been altered by the techniques of genetic engineering so that its DNA contains one or more genes not normally found there" (Dictionary.com). And typically, people fall into one of two categories, people who support GMO usage, and those who oppose GMO usage.
So let's start with the steps on how anyone can be a good scientist, even from their own home. By achieving these steps, you will sound smarter, more knowledgeable (and less likely to be embarrassed by people who do actually know the facts, :) ).
Step 1: Receive The Information/ Claim
Step 2: Always Be Skeptical
Step 3: Research The Claim For Validity
Step 4: Formulate Opinion Based On Sound Science
Step 1: So let's say that someone has made a claim that GMO's actually do not increase yields and do not aid a starving world.
Step 2: Hmmmm, that doesn't make sense to me. What I currently know about GMO's is that they are designed to be grown or raised in an environment that they typically wouldn't so it makes sense that they would have better yields.
Step 3: NEVER just go to google and click on the first article you see! You need to obtain information from MULTIPLE and CREDIBLE sources! Google Scholar, and websites that end in .Edu or .Org are very reputable sources. But anyway, after doing less than 5 minutes of research I could find a ton of articles that tout the benefits of GMO's including yield, decreased pesticide usage, and even increased farmer profits. *You can read one such article here:
http://www.geneticliteracyproject.org/2014/11/19/gmo-crops-increase-yields-benefit-the-environment/, by the Genetic Literacy Project, where Science Trumps Ideology.
Step 4: After doing research on the topic, I come to the conclusion that maybe GMO's are not that bad, in fact they can be useful to farm around the world and to an ever increasing population.
Step 1: Receive The Information/ Claim
Step 2: Always Be Skeptical
Step 3: Research The Claim For Validity
Step 4: Formulate Opinion Based On Sound Science
Step 1: So let's say that someone has made a claim that GMO's actually do not increase yields and do not aid a starving world.
Step 2: Hmmmm, that doesn't make sense to me. What I currently know about GMO's is that they are designed to be grown or raised in an environment that they typically wouldn't so it makes sense that they would have better yields.
Step 3: NEVER just go to google and click on the first article you see! You need to obtain information from MULTIPLE and CREDIBLE sources! Google Scholar, and websites that end in .Edu or .Org are very reputable sources. But anyway, after doing less than 5 minutes of research I could find a ton of articles that tout the benefits of GMO's including yield, decreased pesticide usage, and even increased farmer profits. *You can read one such article here:
http://www.geneticliteracyproject.org/2014/11/19/gmo-crops-increase-yields-benefit-the-environment/, by the Genetic Literacy Project, where Science Trumps Ideology.
Step 4: After doing research on the topic, I come to the conclusion that maybe GMO's are not that bad, in fact they can be useful to farm around the world and to an ever increasing population.
So what is the essence I am trying to convey with this post? ALWAYS BE SKEPTICAL! Just because the news or Facebook says that something is bad or bad for you (and not just in science, but in ANY realm), don't just take it at face value! Do your own research, come to your own conclusions based on scientific data and facts so that you appear to be a well educated individual who ACTUALLY cares about themselves, their families, and the world!