Friday, March 8, 2002
1. BUBBLES: TO FLACK OR NOT TO FLACK.
An editorial by Don Kennedy in the March 8 issue of Science, "To Publish or Not to Publish,"
describes his courageous stand in publishing a controversial paper even though "it had become
clear that a number people didn't want us to publish this paper." Last week WN revealed that
Science would carry an article by Taleyarkhan et al. from Oak Ridge National Laboratory
(WN 1 Mar 02),
claiming evidence of d-d fusion correlated with sonoluminescence from collapsing
bubbles in deuterated acetone. However, Shapira and Saltmarsh, also from Oak Ridge, using
purportedly superior detection and analysis equipment, found no evidence for fusion. Kennedy,
it turns out, was merely urged to delay publishing the Taleyarkhan result until it could be
accompanied by the Saltmarsh finding. Instead, Science accompanied the Taleyarkhan paper with a
glowing "Perspectives" article, a "News" report and an editorial. Worse, Science issued an
embargoed press release. A press embargo is a device meant to suppress dissenting views the day
a story breaks. We at WN are not press, however, nor did our information come from Science.
After WN broke the story, Science dropped its embargo. Both sides, Kennedy's editorial concludes,
"would do well to wait for the scientific process to do its work." But in the end, it was
Science that refused to wait until it had a balanced report.
2. HEALTH PROBLEMS: WHITE HOUSE COMMISSION ENDS, PROBLEMS BEGIN.
In the waning months of his administration, while pardoning felons and bestowing various favors
on supporters, Bill Clinton rewarded loyal Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), an ardent believer in superstitious
medicine, with an executive order creating a 20-member White House Commission on Complementary and
Alternative Medicine Policy. It was to last two years and submit a report to the President on how
to spread the benefits of magic medicine. James Gordon, a leading "mind-body" proponent, was picked
to head the commission, and he proceeded to select a "balanced" collection of true believers in
acupuncture, Reiki, homeopathy, herbs, native American cures, quack diets and "energy" medicine
of every sort. There are no legitimate scientific researchers on the Commission. Gordon himself
has an interesting background, having been an ardent follower of the late Bhagwan Shri Rajneesh,
he of the 35 Rolls Royces. The Bhagwan was deported after it was learned that his followers had
deliberately poisoned some 700 residents of Antelope, Oregon with salmonella to keep them from the
polls in a local election. The Commission officially terminated yesterday, and delivered its report
to the White House. The report, which will not be made public for at least a month, is expected to
call for legislation that would require insurance providers to cover the witch doctor of your choice.
Since the Commission was created under the Clinton administration, it is hoped that the Bush White
House will name a panel of medical experts to review the report.
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