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
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Response rates from 2.3k California voters.
41% Yes |
59% No |
35% Yes |
39% 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 |
2% 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 2.3k California voters.
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Trend of how important this issue is for 2.3k California voters.
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Unique answers from California voters whose views went beyond the provided options.
@9GX62WV1yr1Y
No, only if the advice was proven to harm the patient. Doctors should be required to disclose that the advice contradicts scientific consensus.
@9BJF3B42yrs2Y
Yes, but only when the advice was proven to harm the patient
@9GWKTHP1yr1Y
They should not. Scientific consensus about transgenderism and such has been proven WRONG, and yet everyone acts like it is true.
@9BP88YF2yrs2Y
No, only when the advice was proven to harm the patient and the doctors should be required to disclose that the advice contradicts contemporary scientific consensus.
@9H5VH621yr1Y
No, only if the advice was proven to harm the patient, but doctors should be required to disclose that their advice contradicts scientific consensus
@9GFPK3Z1yr1Y
Yes, but only when the advice was proven to harm the patient, scientific consensus can change and patients should be allowed to try unconventional ideas
@9FF9SFF1yr1Y
No, but doctors should be required to disclose that the advice contradicts contemporary scientific consensus, this must also be proven not to harm the patient
@9YFCKMN1mo1MO
Yes but have doctors give both health advice from the contemporary scientific consensus and what they believe.
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