bad science 2015
TRANSCRIPT
Bad Science
Dr Vivek Agarwal
Ben Goldacre
Doctor, journalist, broadcaster Bad science column in the guardian
since 2003 Newsnight, watchdog, QI BBC documentaries Various awards
Recently
Bad Pharma – top 10 in UK Test, Learn, Adapt: Developing Public
Policy with Randomised Controlled Trials
Bad Science – the book
Published by Fourth Estate 2008 Over 500,000 copies sold Reached #1 in non-fiction Published in over 18 countries
Bad Science
Brain gym Progenium XY complex Homeopathy Dr Gillian McKeith Fish oils MMR
Dr Gillian McKeith, PhD
Green leaves for chlorophyll Abdominal examination – inflammation of
organs Food enzyme deficiencies “Dr” PhD – thesis – “Miracle superfood” Membership of AANC References – magazines, books Medicinal claims
Gillian McKeith
Living food powder, claimed to have been tested in clinical trials - Challenged by Prof Garrow
Threats of legal action No indexed articles
Homeopathy
Hahnemann Late eighteenth century Better alternative to blood-letting Authority figures could devise new
treatments without much evidence to back up their claims
Theoretical concept
Homeopathy - pseudoscience Dilution – ‘potentise’ Succussion Proving – ‘Prufung’
Still done today, often described as trials
Dilution effect
Typically 30CWhat does this mean?
Avagadro’s number ‘memory’ of water Or sugar
Challenges
James RandiAmerican conjurer
Sir John ForbesPrivate physician to Queen Victoria
Ben Goldacre
How does it still work then
Placebo effect One to one interaction Therapeutic relationship Natural course of illness or regression
to the meanEg; Sports Illustrated jinx
MMR and autism
Andrew Wakefield – Lancet Case series – 12 cases Selection Investigations Media and public figures views Retraction
Ben Goldacre - Prescribing analytics
Ben Goldacre - Randomise me
Things to remember
? Anecdotal evidence – pros and cons Clinical trials should be..... Flaws in research – so peer review,
publication and critical appraisal necessary
Always be wary of being quoted evidence from unpublished research!
Power is not just in the pill!