Words Matter. Tell the Trump Administration Not to Ban Words

We are all grown-ups here. We shouldn’t be afraid of scientific descriptors or commonly used nouns and adjectives. This is especially true when we talk or write about science. We can’t afford to be unclear or imprecise.

The Trump administration obviously disagrees. They have given the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) a list of seven forbidden words.

In budget proposals and supporting documents, the CDC can no longer say: “vulnerable,” “entitlement,” “diversity,” “transgender,” “fetus,” “evidence-based,” and “science-based.”

Science should not be politicized. Words matter. Join me and tell the Trump administration to repeal this order. There should be no forbidden words.