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.
Response rates from 5.2k Canada voters.
49% Yes |
51% No |
43% Yes |
31% No |
5% Yes, this will decrease the amount of misinformation patients receive |
10% 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 5.2k Canada voters.
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Trend of how important this issue is for 5.2k Canada voters.
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Unique answers from Canada voters whose views went beyond the provided options.
@B5ZQ6BM4 days4D
No, only when the advice is known to harm the patient, but doctors should be required to disclose that the advice contradicts contemporary scientific consensus.
@9QZGVST12mos12MO
Doctors should be required to disclose that the advice contradicts contemporary scientific consensus, and only be penalized if the advice was proven to harm the patient.
@9QQKXVQ1yr1Y
If they say something that can cause danger to the patient then they should be penalised but the overall consensus isn't always correct and if they feel that they have proper medical experience on why they think this health advice is true and actually helps the patient it shouldn't. It also depends on how big of a consensus they are going against.
@B47D32W4mos4MO
No, contemporary scientific consensus has been bought and paid for by private interests and needs to allow for counter research and research with sufficient evidentiary support
@B43QV9M4mos4MO
Yes if sharing information/treatments that is proven to be misinformation and pseudoscience. However scientific consensus can quickly change and patients should be allowed to try unconventional ideas but only with the disclosure that it contradicts current scientific consensus - those should not be liable for punitive measures as long as protocol was followed
@B3QNMWT4mos4MO
The standard practice which is derived from peer review is what should be followed. If someone continually breaks away from that and follows conspiracy they should be sanctioned.
@B2W38R65mos5MO
the term "contemporary scientific consensus" is becoming more blurred all the time because countries like the US actively muddying the water. I think Doctors must disclose if their advice has not been fully proven in multiple valid studies to avoid misinformation now.
@B2L4P5L6mos6MO
Yes if it harms the patient and the doctors should be required to disclose that the advice contradicts contemporary scientific consensus
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