Doubt Is Their Product

David Michaels talked about his book Doubt is Their Product: How Industry’s Assault on Science Threatens Your Health, published by the Oxford University Press. The former assistant secretary of energy for environment, safety, and health during the Clinton administration argued that corporations hire their own scientists to skew the safety records of certain products. In doing so, they manufacture and magnify scientific uncertainties and influence policy decisions to the advantage of polluters and the manufacturers of dangerous products. This has led to delayed action on specific hazards, including tobacco, global warming, asbestos, lead, plastics, and many other toxic materials. He talked about story revealed in his book and the lessons to be learned from it. He gave the actions of the tobacco industry as an example. Professor Michaels responded to questions from members of the audience. close