The Politics of Bees Turns Science on its Head. A Forbes columnist turns his “skeptical eye” on the EU neonicotinoid pesticide ban, in a rather partial account of the interplay between the science and lobbying which has resulted in the decision.
Beware the rise of the government scientists turned lobbyists. George Monbiot: What happens to people when they become government science advisers? Are their children taken hostage? Is a dossier of compromising photographs kept, ready to send to the Sun if they step out of line? I ask because, in too many cases, they soon begin to sound less like scientists than industrial lobbyists.
BPA Bottles Harm Babies? Only If You Batter Them With One, Says Top British Scientist. A Forbes column about UK Chief Scientist Sir John Beddington’s comments on the failure of politicians – and particularly the European Union – to grasp the difference between a hazard and a risk when crafting policy.
Think Those Chemicals Have Been Tested? MANY Americans assume that the chemicals in their shampoos, detergents and other consumer products have been thoroughly tested and proved to be safe. That assumption is wrong, says the New York Times.
Chemical in food packaging can harm unborn babies, say French officials. The UK Guardian reports: “In certain situations the exposure of a pregnant woman to BPA presents a risk for the mammary gland of the unborn child,” wrote ANSES, the French equivalent of the UK Food Standards Agency. “The identified effects concern a modification of the structure of the mammary gland in the unborn child, which could increase the risk of later tumour development.” See also Chemical Watch: Anses reconfirms French position on BPA.
Implementing Systematic Review at the National Toxicology Program: Status and Next Steps. The US NTP explains how its adoption of systematic review techniques identifies hazards will help it carry out literature-based health assessments. In early April of 2013, it will release protocols for two case studies to illustrate application of this framework in specific evaluations.