We've documented our own skepticism about the true nature of the so-called "Swine Flu Epidemic" (here, here and here, for example); now comes word that our incredulity was, perhaps, well-founded:
"Scientists who advised the World Health Organization on its influenza policies and recommendations — including the decision to proclaim the so-called swine flu a "pandemic" - had close ties to companies that manufacture vaccines and antiviral medicines like Tamiflu, a fact that WHO did not publicly disclose."
As in: "follow the money."
At issue is the fact that we put a lot of faith and trust in ostensibly objective "scientists" to accurately report their findings, and to acknowledge whatever biases they may bring to the table (gee, it's a good thing that this kind of scandal is limited to the medical field, isn't it?). When major improprieties like this come out (and they always do), it not only reflects poorly on the scientific community, but makes us question the motives of other such studies, as well.
Of course, our own deeply flawed Department of Health and Human Services quickly jumped in to defend the now-discredited "scientists:"
"The WHO handled the outbreak in a very measured and appropriate manner ...It's very easy to look back through a 20-20 lens and essentially be an armchair quarterback."
Um, no: this is about ethically challenged researchers who explicitly failed to disclose their own conflicts of interest, which may have prevented the waste of untold millions of dollars, and avoided a major public scare. That's not "Monday morning quarterbacking," that's just good science.
Exit question: where do folks go for a refund?
"Scientists who advised the World Health Organization on its influenza policies and recommendations — including the decision to proclaim the so-called swine flu a "pandemic" - had close ties to companies that manufacture vaccines and antiviral medicines like Tamiflu, a fact that WHO did not publicly disclose."
As in: "follow the money."
At issue is the fact that we put a lot of faith and trust in ostensibly objective "scientists" to accurately report their findings, and to acknowledge whatever biases they may bring to the table (gee, it's a good thing that this kind of scandal is limited to the medical field, isn't it?). When major improprieties like this come out (and they always do), it not only reflects poorly on the scientific community, but makes us question the motives of other such studies, as well.
Of course, our own deeply flawed Department of Health and Human Services quickly jumped in to defend the now-discredited "scientists:"
"The WHO handled the outbreak in a very measured and appropriate manner ...It's very easy to look back through a 20-20 lens and essentially be an armchair quarterback."
Um, no: this is about ethically challenged researchers who explicitly failed to disclose their own conflicts of interest, which may have prevented the waste of untold millions of dollars, and avoided a major public scare. That's not "Monday morning quarterbacking," that's just good science.
Exit question: where do folks go for a refund?
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