North Texas Skeptic - Vol 13 No 04 - 1999

Magazine Overview

This issue of The Newsletter of The North Texas Skeptics, dated April 1999, features a cover headline "The Skeptic" and presents a variety of articles that critically examine pseudoscientific claims and phenomena. The newsletter aims to promote critical thinking and scientific literacy.

In this month's issue:

The issue highlights several key topics: "In the trenches" discussing creationism, "Healthy skepticism" addressing pseudoscientific health claims, "Pharmacy school: water causes cancer" debunking alarmist health information, and "Sky fishing" examining a UFO phenomenon.

In the trenches

Curtis Severns recounts his experience attending a meeting of the Metroplex Institute of Origin Science (MIOS), a young earth creationist organization. He details a presentation by Don R. Patton on "The Evidence from Biological Similarities" and his own subsequent investigation into Robert Gentry's research on polonium halos. Gentry's work is presented as evidence for a young earth, based on the presence of polonium halos in granite that supposedly formed during the earth's initial cooling. Severns explains the formation of pleochroic halos from alpha particle emissions and the decay chains of uranium isotopes, focusing on radon and polonium. He critically analyzes Gentry's claims, pointing out that polonium halos are found in granites formed long after the primordial origin, often at sites rich in uranium ores and within specific mineral types like biotite and fluorite, which are products of replacement mineral intergrowth. Severns argues that radon, an inert gas, can dissolve in hydrous fluids and decay to polonium, which then concentrates in these mineral sites. He suggests that the rings observed in Gentry's samples are likely a combination of radon and polonium decay, and that Gentry's interpretation is flawed. Severns also notes that Gentry has claimed no one has disputed his evidence, which Severns refutes by referencing several geologists who have studied and published findings challenging Gentry's work. The article concludes with Severns's interactions with MIOS members, some of whom remained creationists despite the presented evidence.

Healthy skepticism

Dr. Tim Gorski, MD, in his column "Ignorance and Arrogance," addresses the pseudoscientific claims made by Peter J. D’Adamo in his book "Eat Right 4 Your Type." D'Adamo's theory posits that an individual's blood type determines their optimal diet. Gorski dismisses this as nonsensical, explaining that blood types are immunological markers and have no bearing on metabolic needs. He uses an analogy of a car's paint color versus its engine type to illustrate the flawed logic. Gorski notes that despite the lack of scientific evidence, such ideas gain traction due to a lack of public understanding of basic biological facts. He also touches upon the nature of belief, contrasting the certainty of believers with the tentative understanding of skeptics, who prioritize evidence and reason.

Pharmacy school: water causes cancer

Roahn Wynar reports on a presentation by Don Bottoni, a College of Pharmacy Continuing Education lecturer, which promoted alarmist claims about public health. Bottoni asserted that chlorine in tap water is linked to breast cancer, that tap water promotes bladder and rectal cancer, and that chlorinated water inhibits vitamin absorption. He also claimed fluorine causes bone damage and facilitates aluminum poisoning, and that plasticizers in bottled water have estrogenic activity leading to cancer. Wynar criticizes these claims as originating from the anti-fluoridation movement and labels Bottoni a "classical quack" who presents pseudoscience as accepted medical knowledge. The article also mentions Bottoni's promotion of organic foods and free-range beef. Wynar recounts an interaction where Bottoni deflected questions about homeopathy, which he also seemed to endorse. The article highlights the College of Pharmacy's sponsorship of such an instructor, questioning the oversight of their continuing education program. A response from James C. Parker, Chief Pharmacist at University Health Services Pharmacy, is included, refuting Wynar's account and stating he did not attend Bottoni's talk and respects people's right to their beliefs.

Sky fishing

Curtis Severns explores the phenomenon of "sky fishing" and "rods," which have gained popularity among UFO enthusiasts. "Rods" are described as blurry, elongated objects, sometimes appearing winged, captured on video footage, particularly when using slower shutter speeds. Severns explains that Jose Escamilla is a proponent of this phenomenon, offering videos and expeditions to film "sky fish." He notes that while proponents interpret these as unknown flying animals, tests with the same cameras at high shutter speeds (1/10,000th of a second) produce crisp images of known objects like birds and bugs, but not "rods." Severns suggests that the "rods" are likely artifacts of video recording, possibly caused by slow shutter speeds stretching the appearance of fast-moving objects, such as swallows near a cave entrance, or even camera dust. He also mentions that "rods" have reportedly been filmed flying in and out of water and the ground without losing speed. The article concludes with a note that the previous article was an advertisement and not an endorsement by the newsletter.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical examination of pseudoscientific claims, particularly in the realms of creationism, health, and UFO phenomena. The North Texas Skeptics, through its articles, consistently advocates for scientific reasoning, evidence-based conclusions, and a healthy dose of skepticism towards extraordinary claims. The editorial stance is clearly pro-science and anti-pseudoscience, aiming to educate readers and debunk misinformation that lacks empirical support.