Scientists Need to Follow the Science

I've heard in political rhetoric that we need to "follow the science". Being a scientist myself I agree with this concept. However, in this period of uncertainty I see the scientists who are being consulted not following the science themselves. This includes in some cases our regulatory agencies. Many are using correlations like the attachment above to relate items, in this case incidence of autism and organic food sales. There is nothing wrong with this as it can form the basis for experiments to determine whether causation truly exists. In these experiments we try to eliminate all variables except those we are trying to relate in a defined manner. It also includes randomized selection of participants. The issue I see is that we are ending with correlation and stating them as unqualified facts. I'm not saying that some are not correct. However that is true of random guesses which can be correct as well.

I have seen this in the pet industry where I have participated for nearly 40 years with the recent relationship of grain free or boutique foods and dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs. Even on items where there may be an issue such as propylene glycol addition or onion addition to cat foods that it is an all or none issue and treated almost like an allergen rather than dose titration to determine harmful levels. Again, I am not faulting the conclusion, just the process where a hypothesis is not formed and tested using scientific method.

In the political arena I am seeing relationships of global warming and fires and hurricanes. Not saying this is true or not, only that there are likely many other contributing factors. It has also been noted that African Americans are over-represented in coronavirus cases. Again, while there genetics may or many not have a contribution, this statement ignores the occupation, housing, and use of PPE, etc in the cases cited. There may be an over-representation of African Americans in some of our essential activities not only relating to health care but in the food industry itself in production facilities, as an example.

This week I heard Dr. Robert Redfield, head of CDC, state that masks may be more effective than vaccines while earlier this year Joseph Fair, a virologist and epidemiologist, was wearing a mask and believes he acquired coronavirus on a crowded flight by entry through his eyes, stating that perhaps eye protection is needed as well.

The point I am making is that there are many uncertainties in the world and while correlations may be worth noting, they should tempered with the fact that there is uncertainty and further research is necessary to confirm or refute.

As Scientists, let's practice proper Scientific Method through properly designed experiments with sound statistical treatment of the data! To repeat myself yet again, I am not implying that many statements which are made are wrong, just that they are unsubstantiated or that they may be confounded with other contributing factors.