Language Should Reflect Biological Knowledge

The language used by the public sometimes fails to reflect scientific knowledge, especially biological knowledge. This failure can have negative consequences for decision making. Examples of words that are frequently used in an erroneous or confusing way are presented. Some of the relevant scientific knowledge comes from work in the last twenty years but some comes from much older work. The negative consequences of misuse of biologically relevant words include what is perhaps the greatest current problem for the world: excessive concern about humans and too little concern about all other living organisms. Some of the changes proposed are substantial and affect science and law as well as general usage of words by the public. It is suggested that there should be no further inaccurate use of words referring to living organisms and processes in living organisms.