Scientists paid by companies undermine science
Addiction Economy Thought for Today - do scientists who work for tobacco companies and also for Universities undermine science and so could cause harm to the public?
This is fascinating story (sorry paywall). Oops sorry, the wrong post got embedded. Here is the post with the Story from The Times.
https://lnkd.in/e9tcZ2Ap
Professor Jim McCambridge Chair in Addictive Behaviours & Public Health at the University of York specialises in the ways alcohol and tobacco companies seek to involve themselves in public policy-making.
The University also has an association with Professor Neil McKeganay, who is also the director of the Centre for Substance Use Research Ltd, which works extensively for tobacco and vape companies and McKeganey helped BAT oppose the introduction of plain packaging for cigarettes in 2014. All nicely documented here by Raouf Alebshehy and the great team at the University of Bath Tobacco Tactics project.
https://lnkd.in/eVWd3emg
McCambridge argues that the relationship between the University and McKeganey improves 'the reputation of Mr McKeganey thereby improving his credibility, assisting the tobacco industry in their efforts to promote smoking or minimise the harmful effects of smoking and thereby cause harm to members of the public”.
McCambridge argues that the University has discriminated against him for his opposition to tobacco companies. He says the “belief that public health needs to be protected from policy interference and associated interventions within science by the alcohol and tobacco industries, so that the integrity of science is preserved” is a 'protected philosophical belief' under equality law and the association would “undermine” York’s criticism of tobacco companies “thereby increasing the risk that more people might smoke”.
"Lawyers for the university said that “no sensible reading” of his claim could lead to it being a protected belief.
But the judge disagreed and said the case must be sent to a full tribunal."
Interesting to reflect on whether this could be applied to relationships with academics and other types of company such as alcohol, gambling, social media, certain food companies? Will keep an eye out for the result.
One for you perhaps Grant Ennis, Nita Farahany, Oona B. Interesting one for RRI Phil Macnaghten Emad Yaghmaei, is it a human rights area perhaps Vanja Skoric