Do No Harm: Why We Trust (or Mistrust) Medical Science

Throughout history, medicine has operated at the intersection of science and society. Healthcare professionals have long held privileged roles as both caregivers and trusted sources of information, propelling civilization forward with breakthroughs like antibiotics, organ transplants, and DNA sequencing.

But medical science has also had its dark moments, having been weaponized at times in service of discrimination and eugenics. The ever-evolving pursuit of knowledge has not always aligned cleanly with ethical and moral considerations. After all, the concept of objective scientific truth is complicated by our own human nature. “Following the science” is easier said than done; our decisions stem not just from facts and data, but also from our own unique values, experiences, and personal relationships

The COVID-19 pandemic is the latest stress test on public trust in medicine. If a vaccine were to emerge, how many would willingly take it? Who would receive it first in the event of a scarcity? Would immunization become mandatory in order to return to schools, places of worship, and sporting events? And how should health officials, scientists, and policymakers navigate misinformation, uncertainty, and skepticism?

Recorded Tuesday, August 18: a live virtual conversation hosted by Matthew Wynia, Director of the Center for Bioethics and Humanities at the University of Colorado. He’ll be joined by a diverse panel of exceptional voices on the subjects of public policy, science education, and human psychology to discuss how we can build trust in pursuit of truth and common ground:

• Leslie Herod, Colorado State Representative (District 8)
• Stefanie K. Johnson, Associate Professor of Organizational Leadership and Information Analytics at CU Boulder’s Leeds School of Business
• George Sparks, President & CEO of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science

This free public webinar is a collaboration of the Center for Bioethics & Humanities at the University of Colorado, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, and the Institute for Science & Policy.