Intended for healthcare professionals

Rapid response to:

Paper

Environmental tobacco smoke and tobacco related mortality in a prospective study of Californians, 1960-98

BMJ 2003; 326 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.326.7398.1057 (Published 15 May 2003) Cite this as: BMJ 2003;326:1057

Rapid Response:

Judging Research

Scientific research ought not to be judged based upon the consistency
of the findings with our preconceived notions of what "ought to be".
Science moves forward by uncovering anamolous facts and discrepancies in
data that must then be investigated to uncover the next layer of reality.

You are to be congratulated for having the courage to publish
research that, while politically incorrect and therefore destined to be
excoriated by the anti-smoker lobbyists (many of whom work for anti-
smoking organizations and therefore have obvious conflicts of interest
even if they refuse to cite them) meets these criteria. Take solace that
you are only being bashed verbally -- Galileo paid a greater price for
promulgation of his research that challenged the worldview of the catholic
majority.

Who said that a career in science would be dull and safe?

Competing interests:  
None declared

Competing interests: No competing interests

22 May 2003
freda lee nason
director of facilities
university of massachusetts, dartmouth, massachusetts 02747