Politicians like having an "expert" advocating stuff they want. A scientist is the perfect "expert", as he appears, for most, as intrinsically expert and objec

Politicians like having an "expert" advocating stuff they want. A scientist is the perfect "expert", as he appears, for most, as intrinsically expert and objective/neutral. Hence some scientists happen to recommend things (ways to solve a practical problem) and are used by some politicians (through mass-media) who promote those things (far various reasons), and silent counter-arguments from other scientists. Note: consultants also often act as such "excuses", forking a "report" recommending actions which were secretly planned before their mission began. Those scientists may shoot themselves in the foot by doing so if, as I believe, their job is to explain how things work (nothing more).