American Council on Science and Health

Why Is Mother Jones So Afraid Of Science? And Journalism? -  In an effort to keep the pressure on scientists who accept the biological science behind genetically modified organisms (GMOs), the hard-left political magazine Mother Jones has written another article using emails provided to the organic lobbying organization US Right To Know, run by long-time political activist Gary Ruskin, along with Lisa Graves, who controls the public relations and lobbying group that funds SourceWatch.

In this instance, the writer is Tom Philpott, but the name is unimportant, you don’t get hired there unless you are firmly against science so it could have written by anyone they pay. Though the emails have nothing to do with the American Council on Science and Health he makes it sound like they do early on – by using a snippet of an email from Monsanto executive Eric Sachs, who tells the scientists he is writing to that he would try to get us to discuss their science.

The problem with the Mother Jones article is that unless you are firmly in the vast-corporate-conspiracy camp, what the executive wrote looks pretty reasonable. And if it doesn’t look reasonable, what organic food executives write about using Philpott to sow doubt about conventional food looks far worse. We’ll get to that in a moment, but first here is what Sachs stated: “I understand and appreciate that you need me to be completely transparent and I am keenly aware that your independence and reputations must be protected,” Sachs writes to the academics, and then suggests that to them that he might also ask the Council to communicate their work.

Okay, so?

Suicide Tries Linked to Bariatric Surgery? Study Doesn’t Show - A new study claims that people who undergo weight-loss surgery have higher rates of suicide attempts than those who don't. Is this really true? Maybe, maybe not. A flaw in the study makes it impossible to tell.

FDA Approves Costly Drug Tandem for Advanced Melanoma - The FDA has approved a two-drug combination for advanced melanoma patients. Made by Bristol-Myers Squibb, it's expected to cost $250,000 for one year. Expected gain in life is measured in months, but some subsets may experience a dramatic benefit. The real question is: Who are those patients?

Flu May Transmit Through Breast Milk, Study Shows - There is a dearth of information about the transmissibility of the flu virus through breast milk from mother to infant. However, a new study using a ferret model finds that transmission might be possible.

Romania, Flying Pro-Science Flag, Votes for GMOs - Over the past few days several European countries have announced they'll opt out of an EU law permitting the cultivation of approved GMO crops. However, Romania bucking the trend and aligning itself with science, has proudly announced it is opting in.

Brain Circuitry of Anorexics is Obstacle to Recovery - A new study sheds light on the aberrant, habitual brain mechanisms underlying anorexia nervosa, a devastating — and potentially fatal — eating disorder resistant to most treatments. Another study shows the unique patterns of brain activity that help make us different from each other.

New AIDS Med: Small Change, But a Big Difference - There's a small, but significant, advance in the war against HIV. And after 33 years of HIV/AIDS research, to be able to tweak an already-great drug to make it even better is a good indication of the incredible progress that's been made in this area.

Even With Sex, Practice Does Make Perfect  - The findings may seem obvious, but they hold a lot more substance. Experts say when a woman is trying to conceive, having intercourse more often triggers the psychological changes that improve the chance of conception, even outside of the ovulation window.

Debunking the Myth of Treating Mild Fevers - When a mild fever strikes healthy kids or adults, that small temperature rise is usually followed by a move towards the medicine cabinet. But a broad body of research indicates that over-the-counter remedies aren't needed, because the body is perfectly designed to handle this physiological intrusion.

Get Ahead of the Flu: Get Your Shot Now - Now that fall is upon us, cold and flu season is right around the corner. People are more likely to be indoors and transferring germs by shaking hands, coughing and sneezing. The best way to avoid catching the flu is by receiving a vaccination now, before the virus hits.

Brain Circuitry of Anorexics is Obstacle to Recovery - A new study sheds light on the aberrant, habitual brain mechanisms underlying anorexia nervosa, a devastating — and potentially fatal — eating disorder resistant to most treatments. Another study shows the unique patterns of brain activity that help make us different from each other.

New AIDS Med: Small Change, But a Big Difference - There's a small, but significant, advance in the war against HIV. And after 33 years of HIV/AIDS research, to be able to tweak an already-great drug to make it even better is a good indication of the incredible progress that's been made in this area.

Melanoma Gene Test Promising, But More Data Needed - The makers of DecisionDx, a new test for melanoma that's commercially available, say the potential exists for patients to receive life-saving, preventative therapies. As promising as this sounds, the data is based on a small sample size, so considerable caution is advised.

OxyContin-for-Kids Debate, Now National, Intensifies - Even in 2015 — over 100 years after aspirin and heroin were discovered — there's still no good (or even acceptable) way to treat pain, especially when it's chronic and severe. This unmet medical need is now a very hot topic, especially since the FDA recently approved OxyContin for children.

Colorectal Cancer Screening, But Aided by Bacteria - In microbiome research, it's still too early to determine what is correlation and what is causation. However, some researchers are finding ways to use correlation effectively. One way is to improve screening for colorectal cancer, and a new study finds this may help in treatment, too.

CDC, Citing Successes, Pushes Clean Needles for Addicts - Needle exchange programs — where addicts can exchange dirty syringes for clean ones — are effective in preventing the spread of HIV, a finding that's highlighted in a new CDC report. But in terms of curbing the overall drug abuse problem, the programs themselves remain controversial.

Lithium Can Safely Treat Bipolar Kids, Study Says - Lithium has been shown to be an effective treatment for adults with bipolar disorder. Now, a new study states that the drug can be extended to treating children safely and effectively, for a short period.

Acetaminophen Recall is More Than a Headache - Medline Industries, a manufacturer of acetaminophen isn't looking too good right now. The company's 325 mg acetaminophen turned out to be 500 mg instead. Acetaminophen is actually quite toxic at doses that are not that far from the normal daily dose. Other OTC products can compounds the risk.

New Study Provides More Evidence For DSHEA Repeal - So-called "dietary-nutritional supplements" are almost entirely unregulated, yet millions of Americans ingest them. A new study finds that over 20,000 ER visits each year and 2,000+ hospitalizations are attributable to such products.

Recurring Polyps Not Prevented by Vitamin D and Calcium - A new study in NEJM shows that the Vitamin D and calcium do not lower the risk of recurrent colon polyps as had been hoped. Previous data suggested that Vitamin D and calcium could reduce the risk of neoplastic lesions, but this did not translate in humans as it had in animals. This should not surprise anyone.

Light Drinking While Pregnant: Fine or Foolish? - Pregnant women are often told that in the late term they're allowed to lightly consume alcohol, But is there any science-based evidence supporting this position? In a recent medical journal article, three experts debate the questions on whether pregnant women should drink, and if so, how much.

ACSH, GLP Disclose COI In Environmental Media - New documents from a FOIA of Charles Benbrook which show tight relationships between the Organic Food Industry and sympathetic journalists. Implicated are four advocates including Michael Pollan and Tom Philpott as part of the "A Team" of ideologically aligned writers who defend the industry by request.