Should we trust what scientists say about food?

A panel debate hosted by the General Advisory Committee on Science (GACS) on Tuesday 11 March 2008, at the Royal College of Physicians, London

The General Advisory Committee on Science (GACS) hosted this panel debate, in tandem with its first meeting, to help it explore these issues, engage with different perspectives, and frame questions for future discussions. The debate formed part of National Science and Engineering Week 2008.

The debate was chaired by Professor Colin Blakemore, Chair of the GACS, and facilitated by science writer and broadcaster Vivienne Parry. A panel of three leading science practitioners and commentators – Professor Kay-Tee Khaw, Professor Erik Millstone and Dr Ben Goldacre – gave presentations outlining key aspects of the debate as they saw them. An open discussion with the panel and an audience of about 90 (including many of the members of the GACS) explored these issues and raised further points.

A report, available below, summarises the main points and questions that arose in the presentations and discussion. These will be used by the GACS in its work to challenge and advise the Agency on how it uses scientific evidence and advice.

Key issues and challenges from the debate included:

• Ensuring transparency about the arguments for making recommendations, and what the uncertainties are.
• Ensuring that the expert advisory committees advising the Agency follow clear, established procedural rules.
• Showing your working and making it possible to drill down to original methods and results: publish what you did, why you made those decisions, explain the kinds of studies you looked at, and give links to the original data.

The report of the meeting and the presentations given by panel members are available below:
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