Erosion of Scientific Freedom and the Crisis of Truth
The Pontifical Academy of Sciences’ Council and co-signing members of the Academy issue
this statement with deep concern for the growing global threats to the freedom of science
and the systematic misrepresentation of scientific truth. Across multiple contexts and
continents, we are witnessing an alarming rise in attempts to discredit, politicize, or suppress
scientific knowledge. These developments not only endanger the integrity of science but
also imperil the well-being of societies that depend on science to address their most pressing
challenges, including poverty, pandemics, health care, climate change, and use of artificial
intelligence.
Patterns have emerged in recent years that indicate a disturbing trend: scientific institutions
are being undermined through political pressure, budgetary and workforce cuts, and
censorship. Evidence-based findings are ignored or openly mis-represented. The peaceful,
open discourse that characterizes the scientific process is being replaced in some quarters by
ideology-driven narratives, misinformation, and disinformation. In extreme cases, scientists
are harassed, marginalized, or personally threatened for their work.
Such attacks are not confined to a particular region or political ideology; they are surfacing in
democracies and authoritarian systems alike, in the global North and South. The
undermining of truth through denialism and anti-scientific rhetoric has become an
international phenomenon. This is not merely a crisis of communication—it is a structural
assault on the values and institutions that make science a pillar of human progress.
The Pontifical Academy of Sciences, guided by its statutes and tradition, has always upheld
the belief that science is fundamental to the development of humankind. The Academy has
engaged deeply with issues of science diplomacy, from pandemics and climate change to the
ethics of artificial intelligence, access to and use of energy, and pathways to reduce global
Council, and led by a President and a Chancellor, with distinguished Academicians elected from around the
world. Its statutes determine, “The aim of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences is to promote the progress of the
mathematical, physical and natural sciences … to promote the progress of sciences and the solution of
important scientific-technical problems, which are fundamental for the development of mankind; promotes
scientific investigations and researches which can contribute to the exploration of moral, social and spiritual
problems”. For information see https://www.pas.va/en/about.html
poverty, and has advocated for education accessible for all as a means to reduce knowledge-
based inequalities in today’s world. These endeavors rely on a shared respect for truth and
on the protection of scientific inquiry from ideological or political interference.
Causes of the Current Threats to Science
The root causes of these attacks on science and truth are complex and interconnected. They
include:
- Political Misuse of Science: In many settings, scientific facts are manipulated or
suppressed to serve short-term political goals. Leaders or interest groups may deny
inconvenient truths to preserve power or economic interests, rather than address
difficult realities with evidence-based policies.
- Ideological Polarization: Increasing societal fragmentation, driven by anti-institutional
and identity politics, has contributed to the rejection of scientific consensus,
sometimes in favor of conspiracy theories. Science is sometimes portrayed as elitist
or biased, despite its self-correcting nature, that is, science moving forward often
corrects established wisdom and always must be open to new insights.
- Economic Pressures and Market Forces: The commercialization of research and the
capture of science by powerful industries can lead to conflicts of interest. Public trust
is eroded when science appears to serve mainly private profits rather than public
good.
- Digital Misinformation: Social media and online platforms have accelerated the
spread of pseudoscience and falsehoods. The AI driven amplification of sensational
content often drowns out reasoned, evidence-based communication.
- Lack of Scientific Literacy and Engagement: Education systems in many countries
have failed to adequately equip citizens with the tools to understand and critically
evaluate scientific claims. This creates fertile ground for manipulation and mistrust.
- Silencing and Censorship: In some regions, repressive governments have gone
beyond neglecting science to actively punishing those who speak scientific truth to
power. Scientific institutions have been shut down, and researchers have faced legal
or physical threats.
The cumulative effect of these developments is the erosion of public trust in science and the
weakening of its role in informing decisions that shape our collective future. This is not
merely a problem for scientists; it is a danger to peace, welfare, human dignity and global
cooperation.
A Call to Action—Safeguarding the Freedom and Integrity of Science
The Pontifical Academy of Sciences calls upon all sectors of society to recognize that the
freedom of science and the defense of scientific truth are necessities for human flourishing.
The following actions are essential:
1. Political Leaders and Policymakers: Governments must uphold the independence of
scientific institutions and resist the politicization of research. Support for basic and
applied science must be protected as an investment in the public good. Policy
decisions should be guided by the best available evidence, not by ideology or
misinformation.
2. Science Communities: Scientists must reaffirm their commitment to rigor,
transparency, and ethical responsibility. They must actively engage with society,
communicate their findings clearly, and listen respectfully to public concerns. As
much as possible, scientific organizations should protect their members from
harassment and advocate for policies that safeguard academic freedom.
3. Media and Technology Platforms: Journalists and media institutions must prioritize
accuracy and context in the reporting of scientific issues. Social media companies
must take stronger steps to limit the spread of disinformation and support authentic
sources. Algorithmic transparency and responsibility are urgently needed.
4. Religious and Moral Leaders: Faith communities should recognize and promote the
compatibility of science and spirituality. As the history of the Pontifical Academy
shows, reason and faith can coexist in mutual enrichment. Religious leaders can play
a powerful role in restoring public trust in science as a force for good.
5. Educational Institutions: Schools and universities must redouble their efforts to
cultivate scientific literacy, critical thinking, curiosity, and perspectives for caring
about people and planet. Education should empower students to discern truth from
falsehood and to appreciate the value of evidence-based reasoning.
6. The United Nations and International Bodies: Multilateral organizations must
continue to champion global scientific cooperation, protect the rights of scientists,
monitor and expose threats to scientific freedom. Progress in addressing climate
change, global health preparedness, and food security: all these depend on strong,
trusted science, as well as technology development.
We recognize that scientists cannot carry this burden alone, especially in contexts where
they face repression or lack institutional support. A global coalition of stakeholders is
needed—working together across nations, sectors, and beliefs—to defend the right to seek
and speak scientific truth. In doing so, we not only protect the integrity of science, but also
uphold the dignity, justice, and sustainability of our common human future. In this spirit, the
Pontifical Academy of Sciences reaffirms its dedication to promoting science that serves
humanity, advances peace, and honors the shared pursuit of knowledge in the light of truth.
Signed by:
• Joachim von Braun, President of PAS, Vatican City and Germany
• Cardinal Peter K.A. Turkson, Chancellor of PAS, Vatican City
• Chien-Jen Chen, PAS Academician, Council Member, Taiwan
• Ewine van Dishoeck, PAS Academician, Council Member, Netherlands
• Fabiola Gianotti, PAS Academician, Council Member; Italy
• Edward De Robertis, PAS Academician, Council Member, USA
• Mohamed Hassan, PAS Academician, Council Member, Sudan
• V. Ramanathan, PS Academician, Council Member, USA
• Wolf Singer, PAS Academician, Council Member, Germany
• Zeresenay Alemseged, PAS Academician, Ethiopia
• Frances H. Arnold, PAS Academician, USA
• Vanderlei S. Bagnato, PAS Academician, Brazil
• Antonio M. Battro, PAS Academician, Argentina
• Helen M. Blau, PAS Academician, USA
• Thierry Boon Falleur, PAS Academician, Belgium
• Emmanuelle Charpentier, PAS Academician, France
• Steven Chu, PAS Academician, USA
• Aaron Ciechanover, PAS Academician, Israel
• Francis S. Collins, PAS Academician, USA
• Guy Consolmagno SJ, PAS Academician, Vatican Observatory, Vatican City
• Stanislas Dehaene, PAS Academician, France
• Jennifer Doudna, PAS Academician, USA
• Elaine Fuchs, PAS Academician, USA
• Örjan Gustafsson, PAS Academician, Sweden
• Edith Heard, PAS Academician, France
• Klaus von Klitzing, PAS Academician, Germany
• Jürgen Knoblich, PAS Academician, Austria
• Yuan T. Lee, PAS Academician, Taiwan
• Jean-Marie Lehn, PAS Academician, France
• Pierre Léna, PAS Academician, France
• Juan Maldacena, PAS Academician, Argentina
• Mauro Mantovani, PAS Academician, Vatican Library, Vatican City
• Anming Meng, PAS Academician, China
• Juergen Mittelstrass, PAS Academician, Germany
• Salvador Moncada, PAS Academician, United Kingdom
• Ryoji Noyori, PAS Academician, Japan
• Olivier Pourquie, PAS Academician, France
• Stanley Prusiner, PAS Academician, USA
• Didier Queloz, PAS Academician, Switzerland
• Rafael Radi, PAS Academician, Uruguay
• Chintamani N.R. Rao, PAS Academician, India
• Peter Raven, PAS Academician, USA
• Daya Reddy, PAS Academician, South Africa
• Martin Rees, PAS Academician, United Kingdom
• Maryanne Wolf, PAS Academician, USA
• Roald Z. Sagdeev, PAS Academician, USA
• Susan Solomon, PAS Academician, USA
• Donna Strickland, PAS Academician, Canada
• Cecilia Tortajada, PAS Academician, UK and Singapore
• Rafael Vicuña, PAS Academician, Chile
• Edward Witten, PAS Academician, USA
• Shinya Yamanaka, PAS Academician, Japan
• Maria Zuber, PAS Academician, USA
Source of the English text: website of Pontifical Academy of Science