Progressives are not anti-science

Progressives, not Republicans, are “anti-science,” says James Winterstein (Letters, Aug. 17). He claims:

▪ Alarm about “global warming” is unfounded and most predictions about it have been proven false. Fact: Websites like https://www.opr.ca.gov/s_climatechangefacts.php demonstrate why 87 percent of climate scientists disagree.

▪ Progressives want foods containing “genetically modified organisms” (GMO) to be labeled despite the lack of evidence supporting that. Fact: 64 countries require labeling of GMOs. Some, including China, Russia and Egypt, are not progressive. Our federal law which disallows states from requiring labeling without federal approval was a bipartisan bill. GMO labeling is not a progressive vs. conservative issue.

▪ There is little evidence of harm caused by fracking. Fact: The EPA’s report (June 2015) on the impact of fracking on water resources found no systematic, widespread impact but also found localized cases exist. Cases of methane leaking into the air and of unsafe disposal of hazardous brine and other wastes are documented.

▪ Homosexuality is not an immutable trait, there is little evidence of a genetic cause for homosexuality and liberal views on same-sex marriage and transgenderism are refuted by competent empirical studies. Fact: The U.S. Supreme Court acknowledged the evidence supporting the immutability of homosexuality in Obergefell vs. Hodges (page 8, paragraph 1). Books like “Queer Science” and “Born Gay” explain the large body of evidence supporting a biological basis for homosexuality. Peer reviewed, up-to-date studies refuting either the value of same-sex marriage or the “liberal view” of transgenderism are nearly nonexistent.

This story was originally published August 31, 2016 at 4:07 PM with the headline "Progressives are not anti-science."