Mark Lynas, environmentalist who opposed GMOs, admits he was wrong.

To admit that you got something wrong—whether for almost two decades, like Lynas did, or in a single but influential article, like Allen did—is terrifying. It is also the mark of intellectual rigor.

via www.slate.com

This is an important reminder that a dependence on science (as opposed to faith) will often require you to re-assess what you believe and occasionally admit you are/were wrong. Science evolves as humans get smarter and work together. What we used to believe was true is often now understood to be false. And, vice versa. The key concept here - intellectual rigor - is a critical behavior that we should celebrate and value. I fear that in our current climate, acknowledging doubt or admitting you got it wrong is seen as either weakness or, worse, being an idiot.