IMHO, science is at a important crossroad. On the one hand, there are many scientists who eschew all attempts to bring ideology and politics to the table. On the other hand, there are many scientists who do just that.
I agree with you, A-G...but it has always been so. Sadly, not all of us are morally highminded, and scientists are just as prone as any other human to various agendas and the most basic of human failings: Greed.