Another reason for Bu$hCo to shun science:

Bacteria that live in very extreme environments with little nutrients or oxygen often produce large amounts of methane (natural gas).

In the deepest darkest part of the ocean, and underneath the surface of the earth, and they're probably also involved in the "abiogenic" ( certainly a misnomer- here it means non-fossil ) production of oil.

Their genomes and some types of enzymes they produce are often used in biotechnology- google up "polymerase chain reaction extremophile" if you don't believe it.

An industrial process starting with methane producing bacteria to produce massive amounts of inexpensive hydrocarbon fuel would end the hegemony of the energy consortiums.

That's the end of the conservative movement's economic base. Cheap energy means no barrier to development of the third world. It means no barrier to the exploration of space. It provides for broad economic development and the re-establishment of a manufacturing-based economy.

How can you be a robber baron when everyone's successful?

No wonder they don't want kids thinking about science or their world.