Junk science?

"Junk science" is faulty scientific data and analysis used to advance special and, often, hidden agendas. The junk science "mob" includes:

• The MEDIA may use junk science for sensational headlines and programming. Some members of the media use junk science to advance their and their employers' social and political agendas.

• PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS may use junk science to bamboozle juries into awarding huge verdicts. Large verdicts may then be used to extort even greater sums from deep-pocket businesses fearful of future jury verdicts.

• SOCIAL ACTIVISTS, such as the "food police," environmental extremists, and gun-control advocates, may use junk science to achieve social and political change.

• GOVERNMENT REGULATORS may use junk science to expand their authority and to increase their budgets.

• BUSINESSES may use junk science to bad-mouth competitors' products or to make bogus claims about their own products.

• POLITICIANS may use junk science to curry favor with special interest groups or to be "politically correct."

• INDIVIDUAL SCIENTISTS may use junk science to achieve fame and fortune.

• INDIVIDUALS who are ill (real or imagined) may use junk science to blame others for causing their illness.