Science really would work better with dispassionate Vulcans taking the lead. Unfortunately we have no Vulcans. We have human scientists who are no more immune from pressures to conform and temptations of money and power than the rest of us. If entire industries grow up around an idea, that idea will be protected from "deniers."

The real tragedy is twofold. First, we have no idea whether the world is warming due to the activities of man. Proponents of AGW would have the Western world relinquish much of its wealth and standing because failure to do so would doom the world. That's an extraordinary claim requiring extraordinary evidence. Now the evidence looks doctored.

These scientists were like overzealous cops framing a suspect. When it becomes obvious that evidence was planted, the suspect walks... whether he was guilty or not. We are left hoping that AGW was always wrong.

Second, science as a whole loses credibility. Those who are predisposed to doubting other tenants of science for which there really is extraordinary evidence will, from now on, use this example of corruption. Considering how much good science has done for the world, the cost of this loss of credibility could be huge.

What can be done? Clean house. Those who have participated in this corruption should be drummed from science. Ethics should be taught and enforced within the science community. And a little humility is a good thing. Scientists should remind themselves that few debates are ever settled for all time; that our greatest advances often come from reexamining our most cherished beliefs; and those who are brave enough to do so should be celebrated.