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 576 Germany voters.
47% Yes |
53% No |
41% Yes |
29% No |
5% Yes, this will decrease the amount of misinformation patients receive |
11% 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 |
8% No, only when the advice was proven to harm the patient |
5% No, scientific consensus can quickly change and patients should be allowed to try unconventional ideas |
Trend of support over time for each answer from 576 Germany voters.
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Trend of how important this issue is for 576 Germany voters.
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Unique answers from Germany voters whose views went beyond the provided options.
@9LYCYNB10mos10MO
Yes, but only outside psychology and if the violation did not violate the patient's autonomy and was not regarding vaccination.
@9H4TK281yr1Y
Yes, in cases where the scientific consensus is very clear and the advice was demonstrably worse
@99LKY5W2yrs2Y
I think no but the patient should be given the options and given a very good explanation and the advice shouldn't be proved scientifically to be harmful.
