Attack on scientists or science is not a new thing. If we look into history we may find considerable number of events where scientists were executed or marginalized. All this is the result of resistance to change the existent based on superstations, religion or culture. Hence scientific truth and the science himself is not accepted.
I have been criticized for advocating sustainable developnent and biodiversity and indigenous knowledge conservation and management. For publishing on undesirable impact of extensive plantation of eucalyptus on arable lands. I have been marginalized for advocating the sustainable use of local agricultural resources and practices.
Since by definition, we are operating in the limbo of uncertainity, and if ones professional opinion is "Currently there is no scientific answer for this question", people tend to attack.
I have often witnessed that many people and scientists put pressure on other scientists, sayin that the expression of scientific truths against the country is treason.