[Dysphagia] VitalStim conference

[mbuckie at dmc.org (Buckie,Marcia)]

I have a friend who works as a biostatistician for the Rand corporation, which often is hired to do independent research.

I think any time anyone "invents" or "develops" something, it is impossible to be objective about its benefits. Many things are invested...hope for financial gain, ego, prominence, and simply someone really wanting to believe that this is something that will help people.

My colleague and I just had a discussion about this...I have cultivated a significant amount of scepticism over the years, and some may see me as negative about my given profession, but it is out of concern and respect for my profession and those I serve thatI am sceptical.

Marcia

-----Original Message-----
From: dysphagia-bounces@b9.com [mailto:dysphagia-bounces@b9.com]On
Behalf Of Drirenect@aol.com
Sent: Saturday, May 20, 2006 09:32
To: HAL9600@aol.com; eripley@yahoo.com; dysphagia@b9.com
Subject: Re: [Dysphagia] VitalStim conference


In recent years it has become mandatory for authors/researchers to  state any 
financial interest they may have. One doesn't need to be reminded of  the 
flood of false claims and damage suits related to drugs that were found to  be 
acceptable by the manufacturer (of course) and rushed through FDA  approval.
I, for one, never believe the claims of any company, manufacturer about its  
own product.  Why would I?  I have been involved in clinical trials as  part 
of nation wide testing of medications, some double blind, and still learned  to 
be very, very cautious about what happens to the results if they don't suit. 
It is encouraging to note that the manufacturers of thickening products  make 
no claim about efficacy since there is no evidence that they have any  
positive effect at all.  "Truth in advertising" seems to have some effect  in some 
instances, it seems.
It is so difficult to obtain funding for research that there is a  temptation 
to take it from whatever source offers it - a very slippery slope  indeed.  
No-one ever said that being ethical was  easy.
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