Science Under Seige

[McCragge]

I have my own forums that I run (it doesn't have anything to do with the subjects like here on the JREF, however it does have an off topic discussions area where most people seem to like to talk about politics and what have you) and on there, a poster copy and pasted this article:

http://www.rachel.org/bulletin/index.cfm?St=4

(While I believe they give permission to post the whole article I am not sure that would be appropriate.)

Anyway I am bringing it up here because the article seems legit yet my spider senses tingle as I look it over. A few things, the website is www.rachel.org which doesn't sound to legitimate. However that doesn't mean it isn't. Another is the editor of the site and the author are either related or coincidentally share the same last name. Again, doesn't mean the place isn't on the up and up.

Since I am not very knowledgeable about this subect I thought I would ask you guys here if you have heard of this website and if it is a bunch of crap one way or the other. And if it is so, where would be a good place to start debunk/researching into this?

McCragge

[Ashles]

So what are they saying - that Industry attempts to suppress scientific research that might harm certain industries? That's hardly new information.

And obviously the scientific information is getting out anyway if these guys are aware of it.

And the US government isn't being harsh enough on industry and the damage they might be doing? I am so surprised I think I need a sit down . :)

Seriously it's just cherry picking data to support their political position.

Of course industry doesn't like any research that asks it to curtail certain activities or make less money. And of course the government doesn't come down on these industries as hard as it could. But that doesn't equate to the hysterical "Science under seige" headline.

It's a pro-environmental website so it is hardly offering a politically unbiased view of the situation.
For example I wouldn't go to a Neo Nazi website to get a balanced view on immigration patterns.

But, as scepticism suggests, we can check out all of the references provided and get more of the picture if we want to.