I think the quality of the posts depend on people's knowledge of cell biology, cancer, and research methods. The posts between me and summoner139 were about the specifics of how it could happen on a cellular level (to be fair, he did all of the work). I didn't deny the research existed or that it was important - but because there is a lot of "this causes cancer" warnings out there, people start tuning it out & it's important to get details that are more specific than what this article presented.

I don't think your comment was directed at me at all (I know exactly what you're talking about, and it always happens on reddit) - but the reason why is purely an educational one. It's a complicated topic, and most people just will prefer to stick with what they already know (the irony of the information age). I already had one argument today with someone who was making nasty comments about people who have deformities that happen to be patients of mine in the exact field I work in. He was just ignorant (and remains so, despite my efforts).