National Academy Of Sciences Reports On Diet And Health Are They Credible And Consistent PDF Download

Two National Academy of Sciences' reports sparked public controversy because they differed about whether the public should modify its diet to reduce cancer risk. Toward Healthful Diets (1980) concluded that no sound scientific basis existed for recommending dietary changes to reduce cancer risk, while Diet, Nutrition, and Cancer (1982) concluded that the evidence indicated a link between some dietary components and cancer, and suggested interim dietary guidelines which it stated were likely to reduce cancer risk. GAO found that different scientists' philosophies about what scientific evidence is necessary as a basis for providing the public with dietary advice to reduce the risk of cancer are a major factor in the reports' different conclusions and recommendations. Also, the reports are different because they were done for different purposes, on different topics, at different points in time by different groups. The Academy has report development processes which are designed to ensure that all its reports are supported by scientific evidence and free from conflicts of interest which might make them less credible to the public. GAO found, however, that the Academy has no formal means to clarify scientists' disagreements for the public. For this reason, the Academy should consider making reporting changes to aid public understanding.