Scientific bias

Scientific bias is the assumption that a theory is true or false without evidence one way or another, or the attempt to dismiss or discourage research efforts to confirm or deny the theory - often on political or ideological grounds.

President Eisenhower warned:

• "The prospect of domination of the nation's scholars by Federal employment, project allocations, and the power of money is ever present and is gravely to be regarded. Yet, in holding scientific research and discovery in respect, as we should, we must also be alert to the equal and opposite danger that public policy could itself become the captive of a scientific technological elite."

The American Psychological Association, for example, opposes reparative therapy for homosexuals (even if they volunteer for it), although they themselves acknowledge that there's no proof it does any harm:

• ... there are no scientifically rigorous outcome studies to determine either the actual efficacy or harm of "reparative" treatments.

Funding

• ... Pride, fear and power all influence how research funding is allocated.