Re: fast-multiplying lawsuits can stymie medical science

January 4, 2007

This is something that I have heard many, many people complain about.

How are we ever going to prevent people from being poisoned if industries

and parties who are often actually even responsible for hurting people are

given a green light to attack scientists who are trying to address serious

health problems?

____cut here_____quoted from the story " Fast-multiplying lawsuits can stymie

medical science " at

" Industries on the defensive have also attempted to impugn the credibility

of researchers. As an example, the authors cite the case of Herbert

Needleman, M.D., professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at the University of

Pittsburgh and the first scientist to link lead exposure to low IQ levels in

children. The lead industry attacked Needleman's integrity, alleging

academic fraud and triggering investigations by the Federal Scientific

Integrity Board and his university. The investigations failed to find any

evidence of academic fraud, and Needleman's results were later replicated,

leading to beneficial changes such as the removal of lead from gasoline.

" It's really quite an eye-opener, " Racette says. " Herb Needleman had to

endure great personal and financial hardships, including the prospect of

career loss and $85,000 in personal legal fees, all because he dared to

study something produced by a powerful industry that might be harmful to

people. "

Racette admits that the difficulties litigation has imposed on his research

has, at times, made the thought of switching his focus to a different area

tempting. But he says he's much too stubborn to ever seriously consider such

a step. "

" To cure or prevent intractable disorders like the one I focus on,

Parkinson's disease, scientists need to be free to investigate many

different potential causes, including environmental factors produced by

industry, " he says. " We hope to get a national dialogue going about how we

can create an environment where scientists are as free as possible to do

good, unbiased research. "

On 1/4/07, who <jeaninem660@...> wrote:

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