StemCell Therapy

Leigh Washburn, My Turn Published 6:57 a.m. MT May 30, 2020

Leigh Washburn(Photo: SUBMITTED)

A recent BBC report (https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-52731624) graphically describes the consequences of unchecked propagation of mis- and disinformation about SARS-Cov-2: The hospitalized couple, one near death, in Florida, believing it was a hoax; violence against Muslims in India; people swallowing fish tank cleaner, disinfectants, or toxic alcohol; and the worst and most common those waiting too long to seek help because they thought the hazards were overblown (https://www.erinbromage.com/post/the-risks-know-them-avoid-them).

Conspiracy theories are more than just distracting. Deciding who to trust isnt easy, but its possible and essential. Ask whos talking. Whats their background, their reputation? Are they writing for a known outlet? Is the piece sensationalist? Contradictory? Do reporters interview multiple people actual experts vet sources, fact-check, question inconsistencies (The Conspiracy Theory Handbook; Yahoo News, 05/22/20; Forbes, 05/08/20; Atlantic, 03/21/20; Lifehacker, 05/08/20)?

The most recent, and arguably worst, is the slick documentary, Plandemic, which looks and feels credible but doesnt hold up under careful scrutiny. Its been fact-checked by several experts (Science, 05/08/20; factcheck.org, 05/08/20; https://respectfulinsolence.com/2020/05/06/judy-mikovits-pandemic/; NPR;05/08/20). Too much is just off.

Its sole interviewee, Judy Mikovits, is introduced as one of the most accomplished scientists of her generation. So who is she? She earned a BS in chemistry in 1980, worked as a lab technician until 1988, got her PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology in 1991, then apparently held postdoctoral positions until 2006, when she was tapped to head a new private institute founded by the Whittemore family to look for a viral cause of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). First red flag she was apparently a lab tech or a postdoc for more than 20 years, all that time working on other investigators projects under their supervision. She was never an independent researcher (respectfulinsolence.com., 05/06/20).

Her inexperience caught up with her. An article in the prestigious journal Science, in which she claimed to have discovered a CFS-related virus, was retracted because blood samples were contaminated (Science, 12/23/11). She lost her job and was ultimately arrested (NOT by SWAT) for stealing lab notebooks and other data. Those charges were eventually dropped although the institute won a civil suit.

She makes vague claims that Anthony Fauci blocked publication of some work she did as a technician (implausible); that her research on HIV was instrumental in developing treatments (unverified); and that Fauci and Big Pharma destroyed her career, without explaining how.

Her recorded comments display big gaps in scientific knowledge. A few examples:

This is just a preview. The articles I cited above explore these and many more red flags in depth, with plenty of solid science. They make for good reading, especially if youre still having trouble making up your mind.

Leigh Washburn is a member of the Iron County Democrats.

Read or Share this story: https://www.thespectrum.com/story/news/2020/05/30/my-turn-bad-conspiracy-theories-bad-worse-and-ugliest/5290567002/

View original post here:
Bad conspiracy theories: The bad, the worse and the ugliest - The Spectrum

This entry was posted on May 31, 2020 at 2:42 am and is filed under Genetic Engineering. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed. |