Well, there's a fucking big fat surprise.
The problem is that pressure groups in various fields have far more clout than their actual % support in the population would lead you to expect, because people happy with the status quo don't have the same motivation to campaign - campaigning for no change doesn't have the same ring as 'Smash the Whatever-it-is-that-I don't-like!' until your back is against the wall and insanity has taken hold in the public realm
The pressure groups get what is called 'advocacy science' written and published to back them up and wham, legislation. I think there is a pattern of it across various fields.
Or perhaps I've acquired a tinfoil hat without noticing.