Epidemiologist Fired for Reporting Unhelpful Results

Reason ^ | Aug 19, 2010 | Jacob Sullum

[libertarian27]

James Enstrom, an epidemiologist who has worked at the UCLA School of Public Health for 34 years, was recently fired, supposedly because his research "is not aligned with the academic mission of the Department [of Environmental Health Sciences]." As Michael Siegel notes, this rationale is patently false. The department's official mission is to "explore the fundamental relationship between human health and the environment," and that is exactly what Enstrom has done. The problem is not that he tackled the wrong questions; it's that he came up with the "wrong" answers. Specifically, he has failed to find a connection between exposure to fine particulate matter and disease. Worse, he is a prominent critic of the view that such a connection is established well enough to justify new regulations by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). He has not only criticized the evidence underlying the proposed regulations but has made trouble by pointing out that a key CARB staffer, Hien Tran, had falsified his academic credentials and that a UCLA colleague who supports regulation of fine particulate matter, John Froines, had served on a scientific panel that advises CARB for 25 years without being reappointed every three years, as required by law. Froines, who has publicly ridiculed Enstrom, participated in the faculty vote recommending his dismissal. Enstrom's popularity among his colleagues was not enhanced by his work on secondhand smoke, which also failed to generate politically correct results.

[libertarian27]

If consensus doesn't fit you must cease and desist...

[glorgau]

First rule of science: don’t mess with the grant money pipeline.

[hinckley buzzard]

Years ago the World Health Organization(WHO) did a major epidemiological study on second hand smoke and came up negative for ill effects. It used to be available on the net but I haven't been able to find it lately.

[ronnyquest]

Remember when science was ethical?

[Oldpuppymax]

Someone both intelligent and HONEST working at UCLA???? Seems impossible on its face!

[WOBBLY BOB]

Maybe he could work for the EPA or Algore’s Climate Alliance.

[downtownconservative]

Second rule: Don’t tell the wrong people what they don’t want to know.

[Paladin2]

Sounds like fun, not unlike dealing with the double dealing of the IPCC and Mike MAnn and Phil Jones.

[glasseye]

Comply...or be cast out.

[hinckley buzzard]

a UCLA colleague who supports regulation of fine particulate matter, John Froines, had served on a scientific panel that advises CARB for 25 years without being reappointed every three years, as required by law. Froines, who has publicly ridiculed Enstrom, participated in the faculty vote recommending his dismissal

I thought that name looked familiar. This asshole was an antiwar rioter and one of the Chicago Seven who were prosecuted after the 1968 Democrat Convention in Chicago. He's also a chemist not a biochemiical researcher, and doesn't have any expertise per se in this area.

Typical California leftist crapola.

[Paladin2]

Remember when Science brought us useful truths for the benefit of mankind?

[omega4412]

Is this John Froines of the Chicago 7? One of those indicted (and acquitted) in connection with the riots at the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago?

[detective]

“He has not only criticized the evidence underlying the proposed regulations but has made trouble by pointing out that a key CARB staffer, Hien Tran, had falsified his academic credentials and that a UCLA colleague who supports regulation of fine particulate matter, John Froines, had served on a scientific panel that advises CARB for 25 years without being reappointed every three years, as required by law. Froines, who has publicly ridiculed Enstrom, participated in the faculty vote recommending his dismissal.”

One intelligent, honest scientist in a viper's nest of unqualified phonies trying to steal taxpayer dollars and report politically correct propaganda disguised as science. The big surprise is that the honest guy lasted as long as he did. Your tax dollars at work.

[RobRoy]

>>...his work on secondhand smoke, which also failed to generate politically correct results.<<

I’ve heard that the only thing that has been “proven” regarding second hand smoke, is that it is, in fact, bad for cats. But there has been no evidence to suggest it is harmful to humans or other animals.

It is all about ppm, and cats I guess.

[absolootezer0]

in california, testing for cancer in rats causes cancer in rats.

[Mr. K]

I am going to contact these people and tell them I have a PhD in computer science and I will write a software program tat will tell them anything they want it to say

Sounds like a great gig!

[ronnyquest]

I hear there are still some phycisists, astronomers, and geologists onboad with real science. Not so many geologists, though, I am ashamed to say.

[Bigh4u2]

http://www.forces.org/articles/files/passive1.htm

I’ve still got a link to this one, that talks about it.

[stylin19a]

fine particulate matter includes second hand smoke.
had to fire this guy....

[Paladin2]

That stuff in the air in political back rooms sure seems harmful.