It is, after all, a human endeavor.
But the scientific process confronts biases and aims to correct errors. Science benefits by having assumptions, hypotheses, and related questions explicitly stated and benefits by submitting data-driven manuscripts for peer review. One of the strengths of the scientific process is the transparency and eagerness many scientists show in pointing out errors of other scientists. Dogma and rhetoric are always in the crosshairs of science, and competition is strong.
Through the scientific process, our understanding of the natural world occurs in spurts. COVID-19 is a good example of the uneven and irregular growth in knowledge and its application (management). Two steps forward, one step back. Three steps forward, one step back. Mistakes in application of science may be made because societal actions are required, even when the data necessary to guide such actions are still being collected, analyzed, or their analyses peer-reviewed.