Muhammad Zaman’s upcoming book, Infected: How Power, Politics, and Privilege Use Science Against the World’s Most Vulnerable, discusses the misuse of science, particularly in public health contexts. It begins with a revealing instance during the Obama administration, wherein the CIA used a fake vaccination campaign in Pakistan to collect DNA from Osama bin Laden’s children. This operation, though unsuccessful, triggered a significant rise in anti-science sentiment that hindered polio eradication efforts in Pakistan.
Zaman, who leads Boston University’s Center on Forced Displacement, underscores how science can be wielded harmfully, exploring the historical weaponization of research through various case studies, including the infamous Tuskegee syphilis study and unethical experiments in Guatemala during the 1940s. He emphasizes that marginalized communities often face the most severe consequences of such scientific misconduct.
While highlighting the evolution of disease response and the importance of scientific advancements, Zaman cautions against complacency. He argues that the scientific field must acknowledge its flaws to build trust and prevent past mistakes. The book aims to serve as both a reminder and a call to vigilance against the politicization and weaponization of science.
