Researchers Warn Against Selective Use of Science in Policy

A collective of researchers published a column in Le Monde criticizing the instrumentalization of scientific knowledge by policymakers. They argue that science is frequently invoked to lend legitimacy to political decisions but ignored when findings contradict governmental agendas or become inconvenient. The authors highlight a growing democratic divide fueled by this paradox, where scientific evidence on critical issues like biodiversity loss and educational inequality is disregarded in favor of relaxed regulations or ineffective reforms. The text notes increasing attacks on research integrity, including climate change denial, vaccine skepticism, and accusations of bias against social scientists. The analysts contend that this trend transforms science from a decision-making tool into a mere communication argument, eroding public trust. By using scientific authority only to validate constraints during crises while neglecting long-term recommendations, governments risk deepening the gap between knowledge production and societal application. The article calls for a genuine integration of scientific results into public policy rather than their selective use for political appearance, warning that the current approach undermines both democratic processes and the effectiveness of solutions to complex societal challenges.