One of the problems with the cocaine literature is that there are probably as many reviews as there are actual studies and because the findings are so lean, scientists take the same body of literature and come up with opposite findings. Until there is an adequate scientific basis, there is no justification for drawing conclusions, frustrating as that may be. To paraphrase a former professor of mine, amoebas don t study amoebas, stars don t study stars but people study people. And when they do, they bring all of their foibles and prejudices to the study of human development. These reports were written by well-respected scientists who are passionate about their beliefs.
Passion is a vital force that fuels our work.
But we cross the line when we let that passion lead to the misuse of science to further one s own political agenda. Especially at a time when our society is terrified about violence, it is irresponsible to scare the thousands of families that have to confront the problem of day care. These families are already torn by the emotional and financial conflict that this decision brings up. Now they are told that they are responsible for the next generation of serial killers based on unsupported conclusions from an unpublished single study. And there is legitimate concern about the many women and children who have been wronged by prejudice against drug-using pregnant women.