Month: February 2023

I have been rattling on about the CCSA report for a few weeks, and I stand by my critiques. But I admit I don't have the depth of knowledge and technical expertise in some areas covered by the CCSA. so today I was sent a link to a detailed and scathing critique by people who… Continue reading Distortions: Finally a voice of reason, and detail →

In this business, the research business, there is a general understanding that money can affect bias. Most responsible scientific publications these days require researchers to declare conflicts of interest. This is important so readers can place the research they are reading into some kind of context, and identify if a bias might exist. So for… Continue reading Distortions: Bias and perspective. Aka: follow the money →

In the ongoing discussion of links between alcohol consumption and cancer, we hear this statement: Alcohol is a known class one carcinogen. That sounds pretty scary. I'm not about to dismiss the seriousness of cancer (although as Susan Sontag did, I am concerned about how it is framed). What I do want to discuss today… Continue reading Distortions: The broad category of “Class 1 Carcinogen” →

One of the challenges facing the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction relating to its Low Risk Drinking Guidelines is its hope to provide clear information to the general public. In an article in the Toronto Star on 29 January (behind a pay wall, sorry), the co-chair of the project to develop the guidelines,… Continue reading Distortions: What is a rational actor to do? →