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BBC: Miscarriages of justice by science-ignorant juries
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March 21st 19, 12:57 PM posted to sci.astro.amateur
Chris L Peterson
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BBC: Miscarriages of justice by science-ignorant juries
On Wed, 20 Mar 2019 19:06:55 -0700 (PDT),
wrote:
Until "scientific inquiry" actually provides a definitive answer, juries will have to decide based on what they are told.
Which is a problem in a country that is undereducated, doesn't trust
experts, and generally lacks critical thinking skills.
That would probably describe the lawyers and scientists in this case, more so than any of the jurors.
I doubt this applies to the scientists at all. Could go either way
with the lawyers. And is almost certain with a significant number of
jurors.
Chemicals HAVE been known to increase or cause cancer, so you need to show up with proof that a particular chemical in question does not. Don't blame the jury.
The problem in this case is that good science has already demonstrated
that the risks associated with this particular chemical are very
small, and that the probability that this man's cancer were related to
it are small. So the jury did not base their decision on science, or
on logic, but on emotion. That's not good. So yeah, I do "blame" the
jury. I think cases like this should be handled by special courts.
Chris L Peterson
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