This reaction is entirely rational. I wish that the debate could be conducted at this level - by both sides. The I-don't-like-middle-class-values people have been telling us that the sky is falling (pesticides, nuclear power, etc) for years, with the additional mantra "don't trust the scientists". Now that for once the science is on their side, they're milking it for all it's worth.
My position is nicely summarised by this clip. (Note for Americans: "Clarkson" is Jeremy Clarkson, an outspoken UK motoring journalist.)