North Texas Skeptic - Vol 25 No 05 - 2011

Magazine Overview

This issue of The North Texas Skeptic, Volume 25, Number 5, dated May 2011, focuses on the controversial figure of Andrew Wakefield and broader discussions on scientific integrity, pseudoscience, and public health. The cover headline prominently features 'Wakefield,' signaling a key article within.

Article: Wakefield

The issue begins by announcing Dr. Andrew Wakefield's upcoming talk in Dallas, sponsored by Texans for Health Freedom. The announcement frames it as a special luncheon where Wakefield will discuss his experiences and answer questions, promising valuable information regarding controversies in medical research and science. However, the article immediately pivots to a clarification provided by Susan Dominus in The New York Times, detailing Wakefield's controversial past. The New York Times piece describes Wakefield as a man requiring armed guards for protection at a speaking engagement, highlighting his former status as a 'conventional winner' and the captain of his medical school's rugby team. His career in gastroenterology research at the Royal Free Hospital in London was upended in 1998 when he announced a link between the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (M.M.R.) and autism. The Lancet retracted his original paper for failing to report financial connections to lawyers involved in vaccine lawsuits. These ethical lapses led to Wakefield losing his license to practice medicine.

The article notes that despite his discredited status, Wakefield draws a large, adoring crowd, often parents of autistic children seeking answers where medical science has none. The piece touches upon the distress of parents with autistic children and the history of 'facilitated communication,' which, despite being debunked, continues to be used by some parents. It suggests that in the absence of medical answers, Wakefield represents a source of hope for these families.

The article references Daniel Willingham's piece in Scientific American, 'Trust Me, I'm a Scientist,' and discusses the persistent belief in a vaccine-autism link among the public, even after the original paper was discredited. It highlights the emotional roots of beliefs and the need to satisfy them, sometimes leading to the dismissal of warnings about public health issues like pandemics. The rise of the anti-vaccine movement is linked to Wakefield's statements, resulting in an increase in preventable diseases without a decrease in autism rates. The diagnosis rates for autism have significantly increased, from less than 1 in 1000 children in 1996 to over 5 in 1000 in 2007.

The author acknowledges that Wakefield may be a malicious player but emphasizes that the ultimate choice of belief rests with parents and society, especially when faced with uncomfortable truths.

References

Links are provided to the New York Times article and Daniel Willingham's Scientific American piece.

Web News by John Blanton

This section reviews writings by creationist David Klinghoffer, who blogs for the Discovery Institute. Klinghoffer's blog post, 'NO PEER-REVIEWED I.D. RESEARCH. Just ask Lauri Lebo!', provided links to demonstrate peer-reviewed research for Intelligent Design (ID). The author of this section examined two of these links.

The first link led to a paper by David L. Abel, 'The Capabilities of Chaos and Complexity,' published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. While not a publication by the Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture (CSC), Abel expresses doubts about natural processes generating life and concludes that 'physicodynamics cannot spontaneously traverse The Cybernetic Cut.' The author notes that this paper's conclusion is substantial to the issue of Intelligent Design.

The second link led to a paper titled 'The coherence of an engineered world' by D. Halsmer, J. Asper, N. Roman, and T. Todd, published in WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment. The author expresses surprise at Oral Roberts University (ORU) engaging in serious science but notes that this is another paper cited by Klinghoffer that is not from a CSC fellow. The authors conclude that 'a transcendently engineered world may be the most coherent explanation.' The author also mentions E.O. Wilson's revival of the term 'consilience' in reference to the unity of knowledge.

The author of 'Web News' agrees that the issue is not 'Nature' or 'Science' but believes Intelligent Design has to start somewhere. He intends to examine Klinghoffer's remaining links. The section critiques the lack of respect Intelligent Design proponents receive from mainstream science, attributing it to the lack of rigorous documentation and experimental evidence in their work. The author draws a parallel to the 'creation science' movement, which also struggled for respect and publication in legitimate scientific journals.

A tale from James Randi's book 'Flim-Flam' is recounted about Russell Targ and Harold Putoff's paper on 'psi' published in Nature, which was criticized for being 'weak,' 'disconcertingly vague,' 'limited,' 'flawed,' and 'naïve.' This publication was intended to illustrate the quality of work in parapsychology.

Stephen C. Meyer, a CSC fellow, published a paper advocating Intelligent Design in the Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington in 2004. However, the journal's editor, an ID sympathizer, handled the matter without consulting other editors, diminishing the accomplishment. The author also notes the lack of new research in Meyer's paper, describing it as an op-ed piece surveying others' work. The subsequent claim that editor Richard Sternberg's career was ruined is addressed, with the author clarifying that security changes at the Smithsonian Institution affected all researchers.

The author concludes that the new creationists face the same dilemma as the young Earth creationists: how to gain respect without earning it through publication in real science journals.

Challenge Activity by John Blanton

This section addresses an email from Kariei Robinson, who claimed telepathic abilities and offered to perform a task for $12,000. The author had previously invited Robinson to Dallas for a test, which was not taken up. The author expresses relief, as he would have been embarrassed. It is revealed that Kariei Robinson is male, not female as assumed.

Bruce Press from the Independent Investigations Groups DC Affiliate contacted the author regarding his interactions with Robinson. Press reports that after numerous communications and a scheduled demonstration, Robinson was a no-show and is now prohibited from applying again for at least a year. Press and James Underdown of the Center for Inquiry-Los Angeles suggest that organizations offering paranormal challenges should share information about individuals who are merely seeking attention or to waste resources.

The author agrees with this approach, stating that while some challengers are serious, others may need professional help. For those who are not serious, it is best to dismiss them quickly.

References are provided for the original challenge and the NTS Paranormal Challenge website.

What's New by Robert Park

This column presents several brief news items.

Good Friday: marking the death of Tennessee senate bill 893.

This section discusses a Tennessee bill that would have required educational authorities to present scientific controversies objectively, allowing teachers to 'assist students to find effective ways to present the science curriculum as it addresses scientific controversies' and to 'help students understand, analyze, critique, and review in an objective manner the scientific strengths and scientific weaknesses of existing scientific theories.' The bill mentioned evolution, the chemical origins of life, global warming, and human cloning as topics. The author believes he could teach these subjects objectively.

Martin Rees: the Templeton Prize continues to evolve.

The Templeton Prize, initially awarded to religious figures, has increasingly gone to physicists and astronomers. The 2011 winner is astrophysicist Martin Rees, who describes himself as 'not-religious' and is considered an atheist by others. The prize, established by Sir John Templeton, is currently valued at $1,000,000.

Cell phones: FCC chairman says they pose no health risks.

Julius Genachowski, FCC chairman, stated that cell phones pose no health risks. While the Wireless Association agrees, major cellular carriers issue warnings about possible risks. Deborah Davis, author of 'Disconnect,' acknowledges the lack of evidence for an 'epidemic of brain tumors' but insists more research is needed. The author, an experimental physicist, argues against writing a book on risks without evidence.

Microwave radiation: do cell phones cause brain cancer?

This section discusses the media's coverage of cell phone radiation and cancer. It references an article by Siddhartha Mukherjee in The New York Times Magazine, 'Do Cell Phones Cause Brain Cancer?' Mukherjee's 17-page article concludes that the evidence is far from convincing, a sentiment the author echoes regarding epidemiology.

Help me doctor! My brain is activated and I don't even own a cell phone.

This personal anecdote describes the author's reaction to an article about cell phone radiation activating the brain. The author explores the concept of brain activation and its potential connection to holistic states, humorously noting the difficulty in determining which brain hemisphere is involved.

Cell phones: environmental health trust mocks Albert Einstein.

This item criticizes the Environmental Health Trust for using a photo of Albert Einstein sticking out his tongue with the caption 'CAN'T CALL IT A SMART PHONE, IF IT KILLS BRAIN CELLS.' The author points out that Einstein received the Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on microwave radiation not being ionizing, making the use of his image particularly offensive.

Skeptic Ink – by Prasad Golla and John Blanton

This cartoon depicts a humorous take on creationism and Intelligent Design, with a car taking a wrong turn ('CREATIO') and apologizing to the Indianapolis 500.

British UFO files: the truth is still out there -

The British National Archives released thousands of UFO sighting files. The author questions why the files were kept secret, suggesting it fueled the UFO myth. A new cover-up is alleged as files on the Rendlesham Forest Incident have reportedly disappeared, which the author sarcastically suggests must contain 'unequivocal evidence of a space-alien conspiracy.' The author recalls a similar event where US Air Force UFO files were sent to the US National Archives, and much of the content seemed unrelated to UFO controversy.

Epidemiology: relatively inexpensive UK study says it all.

A study from the University of Manchester concluded that there has been no increase in brain cancers in the UK since the proliferation of mobile phones in the 1990s. This is contrasted with a more expensive World Health Organization study that yielded no firm conclusions. The article notes that epidemiology, the study of disease distribution, got off to a 'bad start' in 1976 when an unemployed epidemiologist linked childhood leukemia to power lines.

Microwaving the brain: is there an observable effect?

This section revisits the topic of cell phones and brain effects. A Journal of the American Medical Association study reported that exposure to cell phone radiation activated the brain, but the clinical significance was unknown. The author questions how metabolic changes are distinguished from blood flow changes due to thermoregulation, stating that microwave photons primarily excite molecular vibrations (heat), and blood acts as a coolant.

Monarchy: is there no cure for this affliction?

This brief item expresses frustration with the US media's focus on the royal wedding, criticizing Americans for fawning over a monarchy they fought a war to escape.

Events Calendar

Details for upcoming events are provided, including a Skype conversation on May 21st and a Board Meeting and Social Dinner on May 28th.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The North Texas Skeptics consistently promotes a skeptical and evidence-based approach to paranormal and pseudoscientific claims. The magazine critically examines topics such as the vaccine-autism link, Intelligent Design, and the purported effects of cell phone radiation. The editorial stance is one of demanding rigorous scientific methodology, peer review, and empirical evidence, while also acknowledging the emotional needs that drive belief in unsubstantiated claims. The publication aims to educate its readers on scientific controversies and encourage critical thinking, often by debunking or questioning claims that lack scientific support. There is a clear emphasis on distinguishing between established science and pseudoscience, and on holding proponents of extraordinary claims to high standards of proof.