In 2022 lawmakers in the U.S. state of California passed legislation which empowered the state medical board to discipline doctors in the state who “disseminate misinformation or disinformation” that contradicts the “contemporary scientific consensus” or is “contrary to the standard of care.” Proponents of the law argue that doctors should be punished for spreading misinformation and that there is clear consensus on certain issues such as that apples contain sugar, measles is caused by a virus, and Down syndrome is caused by a chromosomal abnormality. Opponents argue that the law limits freedom of speech and scientific “consensus” often changes within mere months.
Statistics are shown for this demographic
State
Federal Electorate
Response rates from 1.5k Australia voters.
54% Yes |
46% No |
48% Yes |
28% No |
5% Yes, this will decrease the amount of misinformation patients receive |
9% No, but the doctors should be required to disclose that the advice contradicts contemporary scientific consensus |
1% Yes, and the doctors should also lose their medical license |
7% No, only when the advice was proven to harm the patient |
3% No, scientific consensus can quickly change and patients should be allowed to try unconventional ideas |
Trend of support over time for each answer from 1.5k Australia voters.
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Trend of how important this issue is for 1.5k Australia voters.
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Unique answers from Australia voters whose views went beyond the provided options.
@B2S8S551mo1MO
Yes, as medical care should be based on scientific consensus. However experimental treatments should remain open to the terminally ill.
@B2KWFG62mos2MO
no but yes. no to debunked and nonsense advice, but yes for proven traditional health advice.
@B2DVYCF2mos2MO
Where doctors give advice that contradicts consensus, they should inform the patient of the contradiction, explain the discrepancy, support their advice with evidence and be accountable if the patient follows it.
@B24STGS3mos3MO
Yes, and subject them to a review of their medical license if this behavior is repeated.
@B22G8ZN3mos3MO
No, only if it’s deliberate misinformation and harms the patient.
@9ZTPDVM4mos4MO
No, but they should be reviewed if they are fit to hold a license if they make such statements.
@9SDR7BF7mos7MO
Yes, only if this was intentional and to promote an idea and not a mistake or miscommunication
@9VRQ9L6 5mos5MO
Contemporary medicine isn’t always the best treatment for some patients. There are scientific breakthroughs every so often
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