Shadow of a Doubt - 2001 01

Magazine Overview

Title: Shadow of a Doubt
Issue: JANUARY 2001
Publisher: National Capital Area Skeptics
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Public Lecture Announcement: Eating Candy for Longevity and Other Toxic Sciences

This section details an upcoming public lecture hosted by the National Capital Area Skeptics (NCAS) on Saturday, January 20, 2001, from 2 pm to 3:30 pm at the Bethesda Branch of the Montgomery County Library. The lecture, titled "Eating Candy for Longevity and Other Toxic Sciences," will feature Dr. Dave Cragin and Dr. Jeff Lewis. The core of the lecture addresses the pervasive issue of health misinformation, posing the question of whether conflicting health news is an innocuous game or has real consequences for Americans' well-being. The speakers intend to discuss how health issues are distorted in the media, using examples from newspapers and scientific journals. They will provide the audience with tools to critically evaluate health headlines and will cover the societal implications and costs associated with health misinformation. The lecture will conclude with an answer to the question: "Does eating candy increase longevity?"

Speaker Biographies

• Dr. Dave Cragin: Holds a Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University of California, Davis, and a B.S. in Zoology from the University of Rhode Island. He is board-certified by the American Board of Toxicology. Dr. Cragin serves as a science advisor for secondary school districts and is a regular speaker on science. He is currently the Risk Assessment Manager for ATOFINA Chemicals, Inc. and an Adjunct Associate Professor in Pharmacology/Toxicology at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.
• Dr. R. Jeff Lewis: Earned his B.S. in Biology from the University of Kansas, and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Epidemiology from the University of Texas School of Public Health. He also holds an M.B.A. from Rutgers University. Dr. Lewis has been part of scientific committees, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Scientific Advisory Board for a risk assessment on 1,3-butadiene. He is an Epidemiologist with ExxonMobil Biomedical Sciences, Inc. and an Adjunct Professor of Occupational Health and Epidemiology at the University of Texas School of Public Health in Houston, Texas.

News and Updates

Welcome to the 21st Century

The editorial notes the transition into the 21st century, observing that unlike the hype surrounding the Y2K bug in the previous year, the turn of the century on January 1, 2001, has been largely ignored.

The Last (?) Y2K Bug

An incident on December 31, 2000, in Norway is reported where a class of trains failed to start due to a Y2K bug. The temporary solution involved resetting the train calendars to December 1, 2000, while a permanent fix was sought.

White House Commission on CAM

The White House Commission on Alternative Medicine, established by executive order on March 8, 2000, is tasked with developing recommendations for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). A public meeting was scheduled for January 23, 2001, at Lighthouse International Conference Center and Auditorium in New York. Information on the commission and meeting registration is available via a provided website.

Is there an age limit on witnesses in court?

This brief report details a case in Lewis County, Washington, where a prosecutor considered subpoenaing "Ramtha," a 35,000-year-old warrior spirit channeled by J.Z. Knight, to testify about a rape case. Knight claimed to be in a trance during the session and could not recall the defendants' confessions. The report cites the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and Associated Press.

CAM for Pets

This section highlights a significant development for medical skeptics: the posting of proposed AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) Guidelines for Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine. The guidelines were available for public comment until January 31, 2001. The article emphasizes this as a major victory for scientific rationalism and a precedent-setting event, suggesting that similar controversies may arise among other healthcare professional associations.

Membership Renewal

TIME TO RENEW?

Members are prompted to check their mailing labels for their renewal date. A one-year renewal costs $20 for an individual or $30 for a two-member household. Renewals should be sent to the NCAS address provided.

Contact Information

Contact details for the National Capital Area Skeptics are provided, including their P.O. Box in Silver Spring, Maryland, telephone number, email address, and website.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critical evaluation of scientific information, particularly in the realm of health, and the promotion of skepticism and rationalism. The National Capital Area Skeptics, as the publisher, clearly advocates for evidence-based reasoning and a cautious approach to unproven claims, whether in health, medicine, or even paranormal phenomena (as suggested by the "Shadow of a Doubt" title and the mention of Ramtha). The publication also touches upon current events and societal issues related to science and public understanding, such as the Y2K bug and the debate surrounding complementary and alternative medicine. The editorial stance is one of promoting scientific literacy and challenging misinformation.