They have destroyed it in the time-tested way authoritarians destroy all they put their sights on: they re-define it.

Science is now in precisely the position morality was in with the Holy Roman Empire in the Middle Ages. The church represented an ideal - God, Jesus, compassion and mercy - and people believed in those values. But then the church redefined "faith" in these values as "obedience to the men who work for the church". Magic, "Christians" became monsters following men with no remaining connection to the actual values originally proposed.

Now it's the turn of science, which originally represented objective, tested, and thoroughly argued and defended propositions about the working of the natural world. People said, "Hey, that's cool, and look at the benefits this method brings us!" Now enter the re-definition crew. Agreeing with science is once again re-defined as "obedience to the men who work for the politically dominant scientific establishment." Magic, "scientists" become monsters following men with no remaining connection to the actual values originally proposed.

The first step and priority of this destructive process (currently in active swing) is to eliminate all those of any standing in society who still actually hold to the original principles. Those who are still arguing for actual science are the greatest enemy of those re-defining it.

It's a tragedy, and so very very human.