Science Under Siege: Balancing Technology and the Environment

by Michael Fumento

Book Overview

Fumento, a conservative science journalist, explodes the media hype surrounding such perceived threats as Alar, Agent Orange, dioxin, and food irradiation in this provocative, hard-hitting defense of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0688107958
• ISBN13: 9780688107956
• Release Date: January 1993
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 448 Pages
• Weight: 1.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 6.4" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Best Myth Buster in Years!

Michael Fumento is one of the best myth busters in the business. I find that you can usually judge how effective a writer is by how much virulent hate mail he receives. Fumento publishes his hate mail on his web site (www.fumento.com) and answers it with wit and dripping sarcasm.For years, for instance, we've heard about how dioxin has allegedly killed {scores, hundreds, thousands, millions ... you pick a value} of people or caused unbelievable sickness and deformity. Vietnam Vets were supposed to be among the worst affected. Now I find out that Vets exposed to Agent Orange were no sicker than those who were not. To make matters worse, the leaders of a comprehensive CDC study that proved this were pilloried by politicians out to make a name for themselves! The press did little to help.Why do people accept the anecdotal evidence provided by people who think substance X or Y made them sick, but ignore the well done epidemiological studies that show that it is not possible to blame X and Y for the disease? How is it that a private citizen with no training is to be believed over those who study such illnesses in detail? It makes a good story, that's why. It sells newspapers and generates great pictures.If you can read Fumento's book and not get madder than Hell at all the ... "science" that's out there these days, you're brain dead or you're a tort lawyer who's watching his gravy train about to derail.

Important information that everyone should consider.

This book contains both a framework for considering risk as well as a number of individual lessons on specific topics. The topics include: alar, animal testing, dioxin, agent orange, food irradiation, electronic and magnetic fields, VDTs and the use of gasohol. He has important chapters that should be read by everyone concerning epidemiology, risk taking, logical arguments, and one on the "besiegers" or the institutional providers of information with their specific motivations. It is a worthy read for anyone interested in risk, environmental affairs, or even the nature of modern discussions concerning any technical issues.

Fumento scores a hit by debunking popular hazard myths..

Absolutely outstanding! Mr. Fumento debunks popular urban legends regarding the "hazards" of Agent Orange, Dioxin, Alar, Electromagnetic Fields , and Video Display Terminals. At the same time, he adds a brilliant wit and sense of humor which makes this an exciting and engrossing read for anyone who is tired of being told that they are being killed off from modern technology. A Must Read!!!

Warning on bad science (Alar,Love Canal,AgentOrange)

This book provides an excellent reference for discussions of the misinformation spread about Alar, Love Canal, dioxin, Agent Orange, food irradiation, electromagnetic field-induced cancer, and gasohol. Fumento not only exposes the fertilizer behind the alarmist campaigns, but provides valuable insight into how epidemiology works, how to spot bad arguments, and how to identify acceptable levels of risk in daily life. Easy and fun to read text from a lawyer who has done his research. Guaranteed to upset environmentalists, Viet Nam vets, amateur epidemiologists, Archer-Daniels-Midland, and anyone else who believes that science should bow to political expedience.