Sound science

The term "sound science" has been used in public policy discussions, usually in contrast to "junk science". Typically an advocate will use "sound science" to describe his side and "junk science" to describe his opponent's side. These terms have been promoted by Steven Milloy and the Advancement of Sound Science Center. According to epidemiologist David Michaels, Assistant Secretary of Energy for Environment, Safety, and Health in the Clinton Administration, the tobacco industry invented the sound science movement in the 1980s as part of their campaign against the regulation of secondhand smoke. [cite book | last = Michaels | first = David
title = Doubt is their product: How Industry's Assault on Science Threatens Your Health | publisher =Oxford University Press| date = 2008 | location = New York | pages = 3 | isbn = 978-0-19-530067-3]

The argument of a "lack of sound science" is often used to discredit concerns of activists and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in fields such as public health, consumer rights, public safety, and environmental risks.

The phrase is often used by corporate business, industry public relations, national and international government agencies, and environmental groups to describe the scientific research that is used to justify their political claims or positions.

"Sound science", however, has no specific scientific definition itself, so the phrase is used subjectively.

Criticism

Ong and Glantz writing in the American Journal of Public Health state [cite web |url=http://www.ajph.org/cgi/content/full/91/11/1749 |title=Constructing "Sound Science" and "Good Epidemiology": Tobacco, Lawyers, and Public Relations Firms – Ong and Glantz 91 (11): 1749 – American Journal of Public Health |accessdate=2007-06-28 |format= |work=]

:Public health professionals need to be aware that the "sound science" movement is not an indigenous effort from within the profession to improve the quality of scientific discourse, but reflects sophisticated public relations campaigns controlled by industry executives and lawyers whose aim is to manipulate the standards of scientific proof to serve the corporate interests of their clients.

Notes

See also

* Front organization
* Public relations
* List of topics related to public relations and propaganda
* Junk science
* Precautionary principle
* American Council on Science and Health
* GreenFacts

References

* Martin Kady II, Mary Clare Jalonick and Amol Sharma, "Dueling Science: Science, Policy Mix Uneasily In Legistlative Laboratory," "Congressional Quarterly Weekly", March 20, 2004, page 680.

External links

* [http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&contentId=A13994-2004Feb27&notFound=true Beware 'Sound Science.' It's Doublespeak for Trouble] , a Washington Post article on "sound science" under George W. Bush.
* [http://www.sciamdigital.com/browse.cfm?sequencenameCHAR=item2&methodnameCHAR=resource_getitembrowse&interfacenameCHAR=browse.cfm&ISSUEID_CHAR=B38CE21A-2B35-221B-67096ED4BD9F95F7&ARTICLEID_CHAR=B3AF7D6A-2B35-221B-601840861CEDAFE1&sc=I100322 Doubt is Their Product] , a Scientific American article, June 2005, p.96-101.
* [http://www.prwatch.org/prwissues/2000Q3/usual.html The Usual Suspects: Industry Hacks Turn Fear on its Head] , "PR Watch", 3rd Quarter, 2000.
* [http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/pubs/speech/files/120502_science1.pdf What Constitutes Sound Science?] , long article (PDF)
* [http://www.law.duke.edu/journals/lcp/articles/lcp66dAutumn2003p63.htm The 'Bad Science' Fiction] , long article from the "Duke Law Journal"
* [http://www.georgetown.edu/sfs/programs/stia/students/vol.03/Risk%20Assesment%20and%20Sound%20Science.htm Risk Assessment and 'Sound' Science] , long article focusing on U.S.-E.U. relationships.
* [http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Sound_science Sourcewatch (formerly Disinfopedia) on Sound science]
* [http://cygnus-group.com/CIDM/science.html What is Sound Science? What is Junk Science?] by The Center for Informed Decision Making (CIDM)