In Case You Weren't Scared Enough: Palin on "Fruit Fly Research"

Today, we are blogging from Durham, North Carolina, where we are trying to do our humble bit to help elect Barack Obama. On Friday, Sarah Palin gave us yet another reason to feel good about what we're doing here.

We are far from the first people to comment on this subject -- even within the Huffington Post -- so we'll keep it brief. But Palin's mockery of "fruit fly research" during her October 24th speech on special-needs children was so misconceived, so offensive, so aggressively stupid, and so dangerous that we felt we had to comment.

Here's the excerpt from the speech:

"Where does a lot of that earmark money end up, anyway? [...] You've heard about, um, these -- some of these pet projects they really don't make a whole lot of sense, and sometimes these dollars they go to projects having little or nothing to do with the public good. Things like fruit fly research in Paris, France. I kid you not!"

It's hard to know where to begin deconstructing this statement. This was a speech on autism, and Palin's critics have pounced on the fact that a recent study of Drosophila fruit flies showed that a protein called neurexin is essential for proper neurological function -- a discovery with clear implications for autism research.

Awkward! But this critique merely scrapes icing off the cake.

Fruit flies are more than just the occasional vehicles for research relevant to human disabilities. They are literally the foundation of modern genetics, the original model organism that has enabled us to discover so much of what we know about heredity, genome structure, congenital disorders, and (yes) evolution. So for Palin to state that "fruit fly research" has "little or nothing to do with the public good" is not just wrong -- it's mind-boggling.

What else does this blunder say about Palin and her candidacy? Many people have used it as just another opportunity to call her a dummy, since anyone who has stayed awake through even a portion of a high-school-level biology class knows what fruit flies are good for. But leave that aside for a second. Watch the clip. Listen to the tone of her voice as she sneers the words "fruit fly research." Check out the disdain and incredulity on her face. How would science, basic or applied, fare under President Palin?

We have other questions. Who wrote this speech? Was he or she as ignorant as Palin about the central role that fruit flies have played in the last century of biomedical research? Or was this a calculated slight to science and scientists -- a coded way of saying, "We don't care what you know or what you think"? We find it odd that, of all the examples of dubious expenditures of public funds, the speechwriters alighted on this one.

Whatever the explanation, it scares us. Everyone who has suffered, either personally or indirectly, from an inherited illness, and anyone whose life has been lengthened or enriched by modern medicine, should channel Palin's flip comment when they stand in the voting booth on November 4th.

Comments

[Neuroglider]

ConAir takes issue with the fact that some have confused the common lab subject Drosophila melanogaster with the topic of the research in question: the olive fruit fly. That distinction may be relevant to the charge that Palin is dissing science as a whole. But it by no means justifies her attack. U.S. Representative Mike Thompson says the earmark wasn’t some junket or silly project. Olive trees represent a growing agricultural enterprise in California, and the olive fruit fly is the greatest danger posed to them. The problem has been widespread in Europe for years, but is just starting to appear in the United States. Rep. Thompson's spokeswoman said that the U.S. Department of Agriculture maintains a field station in France for just such situations — to study agriculture problems there that are becoming (or may become) problems in the United States. That’s where the money is going. “This money is going to American scientists who are working to help Americans,” she said.

[hersheyhv]

One can legitimately argue that no research should be funded by earmarks. One can legitimately argue that the U.S., which has been involved in agricultural research since the founding of land grant colleges and involved in industrial research (from standardized rifles to the internet) since the founding of the country should get out funding basic research (involving critters like Drosophila) and/or applied research (like the one discussed here dealing with agricultural pests). If the government had done so in the past, we would, I think, be much worse off than we are now. But argument about the role of government and how research should be funded is legitimate.

That is not what Sarah Palin did. She was not presenting a serious argument. She was repeating a cheap-shot know-nothing appeal to the worst anti-science and anti-intellectual prejudices of a certain segment of the American public that a speech writer found. That is obvious from her use of *Paris, France* rather than *Montpellier, France* where the research was actually done and the use of the generic "fruit fly" rather than the specific "olive fruit fly" (apparently, her intended audience was thought to be ignorant of geography and biology). Such sound bites appeal to the red meat instincts of the narrow-minded know-nothings that apparently make up the "Republican base" she was specifically chosen to appeal to. So I am sure her comment was considered a success for what it was meant to do.

[ConAir]

On the contrary I knew exactly what she meant and while I am not the "Republican base" I am quite conservative.

I do think that research should, for the most part, not be funded by earmarks. I feel it is too easy for someone get the research done on the taxpayers dime. This research is necessary but should be done by business not taxpayer dollars.

The point is kind of moot now but I am a stickler for this type of thing. Yes I defend Obama from crazy red meat types as well.

[daedelus]

I prefer to think of myself as a closer genetic relative to fruit flies than to Sarah Palin.

[jameshki]

Unbelievable. This person, who could be the next Vice President or even President actually TAKES PRIDE IN IGNORANCE!

[AnselAnvil]

Here's a story of a lovely lady
who said she was a hockey mom.
She declared herself a reformer
But she was really a hypocrite all along...

The Palin Bunch
The Palin Bunch

[SteveInOz]

Many people have realized that the fruit flies that Palin talked about was not Drosophila. I have posted on this at my own blog: http://steve-marg.blogspot.com/2008/10/palin-and-fruit-flies.html .

Your only point that might have some validity is that research should always be done by the private sector. I personally think that is a dubious point, and that government has some role in research.

The important issue is Palin's spectacular ignorance on issues of science, which in my view is just another of the many reasons disqualifying her from public office.

[jean22]

Wow, ...just wow.

[HUFFNAME]

C'mon, guys.

Any message read from DNA is a lie planted there by Satan, just like everything in that Demonic Encyclopedia, the fossil record.

All species are separate, independant, unrelated, and perfect, just as they were instantaneously created to be 6000 years, three months and two days ago.

Don't you love it when she says global warming is has no humanly caused component, it being part of a natural cycle documented in the geologic record?

The geologic record of the past 6001 years.

VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!

[metzenberg]

Fruit fly research if Palin should become president:

1. (Old Testament Studies). How Noah selected the male and female fruit fly for the Ark.
2. (New Testament Studies). Fruit flies in the Vineyard. The place of drosophila melanogaster in Jesus's agricultural parables.
3. (Creation Science). Proof of Intelligent Design. God used the same proteins in designing drosophila melanogaster and humans.
4. (Esthetic Science). How to apply lipstick to drosophila melanogaster.

Science policy changes. Only heterozygote crosses will be allowed in fruit fly research. Homozygote crosses are clearly contrary to God's way.

[Skoutt]

hehe

[flutterpie]

the democrats, led by Nancy and Reid, plan to let the Bush tax cuts (3 of them) expire soon, this automatically raises every taxpayer's obligations, to Clinton era numbers

um did we have a crumbling economy under clinton? didnt think so....the bush tax cuts have been a burden upon the middle class but have been great for those who want to buy a 1200 handbag...­yahoo...re­peat after me "trickle down economics has never worked"

anyhoo...did anyone honestly expect palin to know what the hell she is talking about? no wonder the mccain campaign is pissed at her for not following their script.

[thetoetagman]

I agree, trickling down never waters the grass on the other side of the fence. Most business owners I see are out on their jet skis while their employees work the weekends.

[Lloydb1]

This is an excellent point being made about Sarah, her right wing christian views block the logical use of science to better man kind. The republican party needs to get back to its core, small government & fiscal conservative spending. Separation of church & state is what is needed today. Ignorance will keep us from valued research.

[tuneone52]

The selection of Sarah Palin will have to go down in history as one of the dumbest picks ever for vice-president, Clearly she is not ready to be vice-president or president now or in the future. This woman is clueless on so many levels, The republican party should be ashamed of it's self for trying to fool the american public with such a choice! We as americans deserve better in our leaders and the Mcain people will see that on Nov 4.

[ConAir]

15 Pages of comments and barely any of you even understand her comment. It is particularly rich when someone tries to point out ignorance in another when in fact they are the ignorant ones.

The research she was speaking about was an olive fruit fly. Not the same species as the "fruit fly" used for genetic research. Most of your comments have been rendered moot now because you don't even understand the difference.

The reason it is a big deal is that some AgriBusiness obviously wanted this research done and did not want to pay for it. They just get a politician to use government funds for it. Politicians are cheaper than research. They wanted to use our money vice theirs.

You can dislike Sarah Palin all you like but at least when you try to "correct" one of her statements be sure you are in fact correct in yours. Otherwise you simply look bitter and foolish.

[philandCo]

Come on, Palin didn't know anything about fruit fly species. Her level of ignorance on a vaste range of subjects is mindboggling. From the "Bush Doctrine" to "nucular" weapons, she is one of this country's finest examples of dumbed down America.

[TheBlackCat]

This is a good catch on your part, so I researched it. And you are correct that the particular study she was referring to was regarding Olive fruit flies involved in agriculture research and not the fruit flies typically used by genetics researches. HOWEVER it still seems like a completely legitimate study. What I found is that the olive fruit fly has become increasingly detrimental to olive crops in the United States. There was large amount of concern that not only would the entire olive industry be severely affected, but that other crops were also being affected by these fruit flies. The Department of Agriculture flagged this insect as a threat to many Californian crops, and asked France to collaberate on a study with them because France has had to deal with similar infestations.

So you are right in that she was not blasting genetic research based on religious principles. But now that I know the truth, I actually even think worse of her, because before I thought she only was against science that directly challenged her religious principles, when in fact she is just against ANY science, period.

[ConAir]

As I said in my first posting the problem with this particular earmark is that the cost should have gone to AgriBusiness and not the government. They didn't want to spend the money doing it so they got one of their friendly "government types" to foot the bill with our tax dollars.

This is exactly the type of corruption that needs to be brought to light and stopped.

[VioletDatura]

Missy Sarah should have qualified her statement. Your argument is that Huffposters should have researched it, and maybe so, but Ms. Palin is the one running for office. She should have researched it before she opened her mouth.

In any case, it's hard to believe that she can't find the benefit in spending money on researching something that DOES matter to Americans. Whether it's the Olive fruit flies she, apparently alluded to, or the common Dropsophila used in research for a variety of tests, spending money is worth it. Not like her 'bridge to nowhere' she was for, then against, but never returned the funding for.

[Cybersquirt]

I understand her comment perfectly. Much like McCain trying to get a two-fer when he ridiculed the "3 million dollar projector", now Palin tries the same. Which two-fers? Science and Obama; Science and France.

There are plenty of information gaps to go around. The days she's honest about her role in "the bridge to nowhere" is a day I believe anything she has to say about "earmarks".

[TheBlackCat]

It's just really really really sad. I have a friend from college who was a born again evangelical. Then she went on a mission to Thailand. After being introduced to a predominantly non Christian people she found to be the most gentle, spiritual, kindest people she had ever met, she could no longer reconcile her experience with what she had been taught- that these people were going to burn in Hell. She came back no longer a Christian.

She is from a very evangelical community in Georgia, and has been completely ostracized. Her family has not cut her off (as they were not born again themselves) but almost all of her friends now refuse to talk to her. They told her that it was the Devil putting these bad thoughts into her head. Some even suggested an exorcism. Her friends held an "intervention" for her. They literally do not believe that people have free will. Either something is inspired by God or inspired by Satan. People are unable to reject Christ as a savior of their own volition, in their thinking. My friend has been deeply depressed and had to go into therapy to help deal with the way she was rejected by her community and told that she was possessed by the Devil by almost everyone she knew. And the worst thing is that her friends aren't mean, cruel people, they HONESTLY believe that you have to be under the influence of Satan to not believe in Christ.

[habajebe]

Her friends aren't mean or cruel, just ignorant and brainwashed.

[jlgardiner]

I am so glad to read that someone finally is taking Sara Palin's comments about the fruit fly research to task for its blind attack on scientific research. Her comment was another, if not the best, example of how she functions. She reads a sentence. She doesn't understand it. Therefore, if is wasteful. She has spoken little about science, research performed on government grants to upgrade our standard of life, and this one time that she has spoken, her ignorance is clear. But, it is not just that she is ignorant on the subject. Her problem is she sees no need to research, explore, learn about these subjects. I am sure her position on other research, such as the study of salamanders for limb regeneration, or of mutated frogs for understanding climate change and pollution effects, and stem cell research, would be as narrow. It is frightening to think she wants to hold the second most powerful position in this nation while turning her back on scientific research. Thanks for bringing it up!

[toddpalin2]

I want and encourage everyone on the left (this blog) to vote for OBAMA. Yes, you heard me right. Why? Because for being so ignorant, you all deserve what you get, I can not wait. What do I mean? here it is:
Obama says NO tax increase for anyone making less than 250,000. Truth: the democrats, led by Nancy and Reid, plan to let the Bush tax cuts (3 of them) expire soon, this automatically raises every taxpayer's obligations, to Clinton era numbers. Don't believe me? Just wait...This will be huge, and you will all notice it on your paychecks....then, I want all of you to come back here and re read my comments. You didnt listen to the other side, because you are young and dumb, and believe mr. smooth talker. And just think, you waited in long lines for hours to early vote --- so you can have the prvilage of paying more taxes! How patriotic of you all, lol. I am laughing so hard my sides hurt.

[Redbeerd]

Hmmm, pay more in taxes or have leaders who are willfully ignorant of science.... some choice. Nah, it's simple..... I can always make more money.... stupid lasts a lifetime. Obama-Biden08

[opinion8td]

First of all this article has nothing to do with your rant so you should try to find another article where your argument would be even remotely relevant to the conversation at hand. That aside, when you start out any sentence with 'Truth:' we're pretty much going to ask you to cite your sources because otherwise what you're spewing is just what's rolling around in that little head of yours. Your insecurity is showing also in that you think we're going to 'come back yhere and re-read your comments' as if you are somehow THE authority on the subject matter of taxes? Your side hurts because you're old and out of shape. Get out from behind the computer and go for a run or something to clear your head.

[Lloydb1]

You have to be kidding? Right? Unless you are very rich, you have been paying the highest percentage of tax burden in history. Under the republican leadership the midle class has been taxed to the point that we now make less than we did just 20 year ago, it takes two incomes to run a family while corporation are making record profits & paying little or no taxes. Do the research, & get your facts correct. You take what the rebublicans say at face value like a sheep to slaugter... Taxes are higher & government spending have grown to the largest in history. The repubican party has been high jacked by the right wing propaganda machine & you actual don't bother to check your facts. PLEASE READ MORE don't just listen to the lies. CHECK the facts!