Uncertainty is valued in science because there's always new data to be applied against a theory. Sometimes new data confirms a theory, sometimes new data makes a theory less certain. Authentic science is open to dissent.
But some scientists are less concerned with new insights than they are with protecting the old theory that evolution fully explains all of life.
The Royal Society of London has scheduled a meeting next November entitled, "New Trends in Evolutionary Biology." Discomfort with any questioning of evolutionary theory (like one organizer's call for big revision) may lead to cancellation of the meeting.
On the other hand, a recent poll shows that Americans, unlike those who want to shut down the meeting, are very comfortable with airing controversy and disagreement:
94% believe “it is important for policymakers and the public to hear from scientists with differing views.”
84% believe that “attempts to censor or punish scientists for holding dissenting views on issues such as evolution or climate change are not appropriate in a free society."
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