Junk Science Judo
A Short Course
Course Topics
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Course based on "Junk Science Judo" by Steve Milloy © 2001 Cato Institute. All rights reserved.
Junk Science Can Give a False Sense of
Security about Your Health Habits
Example #1: Many people think eating high-fiber cereals will reduce the risk of, or even prevent, colorectal cancer. These notions arose from highly publicized but unscientific observations of a medical missionary to Africa. Recent studies report no reduction in colorectal cancer among those with high-fiber diets (5).
Example #2: Pharmaceutical companies have long promoted the postmenopausal use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to prevent heart disease. But, the studies used to promote this idea are biased; they rely on women who are likely to have reduced rates of heart disease regardless of HRT use (6).
