Is There a Scientific Establishment?

The term "Establishment" is controversial. It invariably implies a critical stance, suggesting a system, a power structure, in need of a shakeup or worse. It's not a description anyone would welcome having applied to himself. Nobody wants to be seen as defending entrenched privilege. Depending on the context, some deny the existence of such an entity to begin with.

What about in the world of science, and specifically biology? Is it fair to speak of an Establishment there, primed to be update...