Against anti-health epidemiology: corporate obstruction of public health via manipulation of epidemiology.
In response to several articles on corporate corruption of science that appeared earlier in this journal, a critic outlined an epistemological model based on an unsupported assertion that epidemiologic evidence is always required to support cause-effect relationships. This model, if adopted, would eliminate compensation to victims of toxic exposures and impede regulation of accepted hazards. Epidemiology is only one element in support of cause-effect determinations. The critic's proposal of an anti-health epidemiology was initially developed by corporations with the goal of providing defense in litigation, and is based not on science but on a corporate need to enhance profits at the expense of public health.
Egilman
David
D
Brown University, Attleboro, MA 02703, USA. degilman@egilman.com
Howe
Samantha
S
D002273:Carcinogens / Q000592:standards / Q000633:toxicity*; D016265:Conflict of Interest; D004782:Environmental Health; D004813:Epidemiology / Q000941:ethics* / Q000592:standards*; D040861:Ethics, Business; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000592:standards / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry / Q000941:ethics* / Q000592:standards*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016272:Occupational Health; D011634:Public Health; D015871:Scientific Misconduct; D014481:United States
D002273:Carcinogens; D015386:Hazardous Substances