This is exactly true. Much of the scientific establishment has a hubris leading them to believe that small lies “for the public’s own good” are not just accepta

This is exactly true. Much of the scientific establishment has a hubris leading them to believe that small lies “for the public’s own good” are not just acceptable but moral. Of course, when one of these are exposed the public trust degrades, and not just around that particular thing. The entire view of science as a worthwhile pursuit takes a hit. And it should. Every time “science” or “scientists” are referred to as a cohesive block, every time “trust” is used in the same breath as “science”, we turn humanity’s greatest tool for advancement into a religion.