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.
47% Yes |
53% No |
40% Yes |
30% No |
6% Yes, this will decrease the amount of misinformation patients receive |
8% No, only when the advice was proven to harm the patient |
1% Yes, and the doctors should also lose their medical license |
8% No, but the doctors should be required to disclose that the advice contradicts contemporary scientific consensus |
7% No, scientific consensus can quickly change and patients should be allowed to try unconventional ideas |
See how support for each position on “Medical Consensus” has changed over time for 329 Germany voters.
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See how importance of “Medical Consensus” has changed over time for 329 Germany voters.
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Unique answers from Germany users whose views extended beyond the provided choices.
@9LYCYNB3wks3W
Yes, but only outside psychology and if the violation did not violate the patient's autonomy and was not regarding vaccination.
@9H4TK286mos6MO
Yes, in cases where the scientific consensus is very clear and the advice was demonstrably worse
@99LKY5W1yr1Y
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.
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