Tampa Bay Skeptics Report - vol 20 no 4 - INCOMPLETE

Magazine Overview

This issue of TBS Report Online, Volume 20, No. 4, from Spring 2008, published by Tampa Bay Skeptics and Center For Inquiry Tampa Bay, focuses on skeptical investigations into claims of the miraculous and discussions on science education.

Anatomy of an Investigation into a Miraculous Medical Claim

This lengthy article by Gary P. Posner, M.D., details an investigation into the case of Donna Sikes, who claimed a spontaneous healing of a brain tumor. The claim was reported in the Cadillac News on March 28, 2006, stating that an 8-mm tumor had miraculously disappeared. Sikes attributed this to Jesus, while Dr. Alicia Elmore of Family Practice of Cadillac confirmed the disappearance and documented it in a letter to The 700 Club.

Posner's investigation began by requesting medical records from Dr. Elmore. The records revealed an initial MRI on April 17, 2001, for "Prolactorrhea," indicating a pituitary adenoma, an 8 mm tumor. However, a subsequent endocrinology consultation on May 2, 2001, found a normal prolactin level and no stigmata of increased hormone production, suggesting the initial MRI might have been ordered without sufficient cause or that the indication was misreported.

A neurosurgeon at Shands Hospital in Gainesville reviewed the case and noted that the endocrine workup was negative for abnormal hormone levels. He was aware of only one MRI scan showing a "probable pituitary adenoma" and recommended conservative management with serial MRIs, rather than surgery, as the pituitary lesion might be responsible for galactorrhea. He also suggested ruling out primary breast disease as a cause for galactorrhea.

Later follow-up MRIs in April 2002 and March 2004 were read as essentially negative, with no adenoma identified. The pituitary gland was described as "plump" or "full" in appearance. Posner hypothesizes a prosaic scenario where an initial "plump" pituitary might have been overread as containing an adenoma, especially if the neurologist was unaware of the patient's normal prolactin level.

Posner's inquiries to Dr. Elmore about comparisons of MRI films and further details were met with a response that the records were disorganized. Dr. Elmore also mentioned that Donna Sikes had sustained a closed head injury from a car accident after the events, affecting her memory. Despite the claims of a miracle, Posner concludes that, based on the records he has seen, he remains highly skeptical.

Florida finally enters the 19th century

This article by Terry A. Smiljanich reports on the Florida Board of Education's vote on February 19, 2008, to adopt new statewide science standards that mention evolution for the first time. The standards defined evolution as a "fundamental concept underlying all of biology" and "supported by multiple forms of scientific evidence." The wording was altered to include "scientific theory of" before "evolution" to appease those who favored creationism or "intelligent design."

Two of the three dissenting votes were from those who felt the altered wording watered down the importance of evolution. The third dissenter, Donna Callaway, voted against the amended version, believing academic freedom required teaching the controversy surrounding evolution and creationism.

The standards also removed the specific reference to human beings evolving from earlier species, generally referring to "living things" instead. The article notes that Darwin's theory, while scientific, was in need of further development, which modern biology has provided with tools like DNA and mutations. It contrasts scientific theory with everyday theory and pseudoscience, expressing hope that students will learn the difference.

Renier/Merrell Update

This section provides an update on Noreen Renier's Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition. Both John Merrell and the U.S. Trustee's office have filed motions to extend Renier's discharge. The Trustee is sending a Notice of Assets to creditors, indicating that Renier may have assets, such as book rights, that could be sold. Merrell believes her assets exceed those listed and hopes the extension will allow for further investigation.

Snippets

This section contains brief, often humorous, items:

• Granite Jesus Muffin: A Pinellas County granite distributor failed to sell a piece of granite with a pattern resembling Jesus on the cross for $5,000.
• Face on Mars: NASA claims a rock formation on Mars, resembling a face, is a wind-carved feature. The item humorously refers to it as "Mr. Face" and notes its potential danger.

Letters to the Editor

• William A. Blake, III (Orlando): A 19-year-old claims to have psychic capabilities that are out of his control and seeks information to help him manage them. He offers to demonstrate telepathic connections. The editor notes an offer to demonstrate telepathy at a TBS Quarterly Meeting.
• [email protected]: A brief, unclear request about stamps. The editor's note refers to a "Face on Mars" stamp set endorsed by Richard Hoagland and provides a verbatim email reply: "eye donut no."

UFO Abduction Insurance and Location Earth Dog Tags

This section informs TBS members about a $10,000,000 UFO Abduction Insurance policy and suggests purchasing "Location Earth Dog Tags" as a way to inform extraterrestrial rescuers of one's Earthly origin.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are skepticism towards extraordinary claims, particularly medical miracles and psychic phenomena, and a strong advocacy for scientific reasoning and education, as evidenced by the article on evolution standards. The editorial stance is clearly in favor of critical thinking, empirical evidence, and the scientific method, contrasting them with pseudoscience and unsubstantiated claims. The publication aims to debunk or critically examine phenomena often presented without rigorous proof.