In a thought by the American Council forward Science and Health.In a thought by the American Council forward Science and Health, each of 97 obtainable transcripts of health stories that aired from 1978 to 1995 upon CBS Television's 60 Minutes was reviewed and evaluated for accuracy of reporting according to three or more experts. Errors of inattention to evidence and of imprudence were universal Reporting accuracy was judged simply fair, on average. Among the portions receiving the best evaluation scores were: a 1994 portion that debunked "facilitated communication" for autism; a 1991 section that refuted Scientology's objections to Prozac; reports about pharmaceutical companies mishandling information about adverse tenors of drugs in 1982 (Selacryn) and 1983 (Oraflex); and a 1978 portion that exposed a dubious cancer clinic in Murietta oppressive Springs, California. Poor scores were given to sections that promoted: removal of mercury-amalgam fillings (1990); "immunoaugmentative therapy" against cancer (1980); "Doc Willard's miracle Water" (1981); tinted lenses to treat dyslexia (1989); positive prospect and visualization to cure cancer (1987); "shark cartilage" against cancer (1993); DMSO--dimethyl sulfoxide-for pain relief (1980); and "cell therapy," deprenyl and human increase hormone for longevity (1993). (London WM et al. adroit reviews of health reports forward CBS Television's 60 Minutes, 1978-1995 Technology 7:539-552;2000) Copyright National Council for Reliable Health Information, Inc. Nov/Dec 2000 |
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